Michael Porter Jr. poured in 24 points, and Noah Clowney added 19 as the Brooklyn Nets closed strong to defeat the Toronto Raptors 96–81 on Sunday night.
Brooklyn dominated the final period, outscoring Toronto 29–16 in the fourth quarter to post its lowest points allowed this season. Rookie Egor Demin contributed 16 points, while Nic Claxton finished with 12 for the Nets, who steadied themselves after briefly losing the lead early in the fourth.
Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 19 points, and Immanuel Quickley recorded 17 points and 10 assists. The Raptors, who opened the season 15–7, have now dropped six of their last nine games.
Brooklyn appeared in control midway through the third quarter with a 60–45 lead, but Toronto surged back with a 20–7 run to close the period as the Nets went cold and committed five turnovers. The Raptors briefly moved ahead early in the fourth before Brooklyn regrouped.
After Jamison Battle’s dunk put Toronto up 73–72, the Nets answered with a decisive 10–0 burst, highlighted by Clowney’s 3-pointer that swung momentum for good. Claxton followed with three straight baskets, stretching the lead to 88–75 with under five minutes remaining.
Toronto was also dealt a setback when center Jakob Poeltl exited in the first quarter because of a back injury.
Up Next
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Raptors: Continue their road trip Tuesday in Miami.
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Nets: Travel to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
