Nets edge Raptors to snap six
The Brooklyn Nets notched a 96-88 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night to end their run of six straight losses.
The Nets outrebounded the Raptors 50-30, with big man Nic Claxton pulling down nearly a third of the team's rebounds with 16, including five offensive rebounds. Claxton and his teammates tallied 16 offensive boards, compared to eight of the Raptors.
"We just outrebounded them, we beat them by 20 on the boards," said Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie after the game. "We just did a good job playing with one another, getting stops. Our defense was phenomenal tonight."
Ollie's squad held Toronto to a season-low 88 points, going 5-for-27 (18.5 percent) from behind the 3-point line. The Raptors have lost 11 straight games and dropped 13 of their last 14 games since Feb. 28.
Brooklyn got standout offensive performances from Dennis Schroder and Trendon Watford, who poured in 19 points apiece.
Schroder, who was traded from the Raptors six weeks ago, returned to Toronto for the second time, also finishing with seven assists and five rebounds.
Watford, a 23-year-old product of Louisiana State University, finished with a season-high 19 points and tied his season-best with seven rebounds in 21 minutes of action.
The third-year forward, who entered the game averaging 5.6 points in 11.1 minutes a game, received extra playing time due to injuries to starters Cameron Johnson and Cam Thomas.
"That's what the league is about. You never know when you're gonna get your opportunity, you gotta always be ready, and stay ready," said Ollie on Watford's preparedness.
Thomas, who is leading the team's scoring with 21.5 points a game, was a late scratch to the game due to back spasms. So far this month, the 22-year-old guard is averaging 24.9 points a game.
The Nets also got double-digit scoring efforts from starters Mikal Bridges and Jalen Wilson, who contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively.