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Brooklyn Nets Defeat Toronto Raptors Amidst Gambling Investigation
On Monday, the Brooklyn Nets emerged victorious against the Toronto Raptors with a score of 96-88. Dennis Schroder led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 19 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. This game marked Schroder’s return to Toronto after a trade to the Nets earlier in the season.
Trendon Watford also played a crucial role off the bench for Brooklyn, tallying 19 points and seven rebounds. The win broke a six-game losing streak for the Nets, who now stand at a 27-45 record for the season. On the other side, Toronto struggled, falling to their 11th consecutive loss with a severely undermanned roster. Gary Trent Jr. led the Raptors with 18 points, followed by Javon Freeman-Liberty with 15 points.
Gambling Investigation Rocks Raptors
Prior to tipoff, reports surfaced regarding an NBA investigation into Raptors backup center Jontay Porter for potential irregularities regarding prop betting. Porter has been inactive due to “personal reasons,” joining a long list of sidelined players for Toronto. The absence of key players like Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Chris Boucher, and D.J. Carton further weakened the Raptors’ lineup.
Despite the challenges, the Raptors showed resilience. Trent’s three-pointer in the first quarter briefly gave Toronto the lead, but the Nets maintained control throughout the game. Watford’s strong performance in the second quarter helped Brooklyn build a halftime lead of 49-45.
In a back-and-forth battle, the Raptors fought to reclaim the lead in the third quarter, igniting the home crowd at Scotiabank Arena. However, Brooklyn responded with key plays down the stretch, pulling away in the final minutes of the game.
Setting Records and Reflections
The game marked a significant milestone for the Raptors, as they set a new single-season franchise record with 2,086 total assists, surpassing their previous record from the 2018-19 championship-winning season.
Despite the intensity of the matchup, Schroder received a warm reception from Toronto fans, reflecting his impactful time with the team earlier in the season. Head Coach Rajakovic commended Schroder’s competitive spirit and contributions to the Raptors.
Upcoming Matches
Looking ahead, the Raptors will face the New York Knicks in their next game, while the Brooklyn Nets will take on the Washington Wizards. Both teams aim to bounce back from recent setbacks and continue their pursuit of success in the NBA.
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