Raptors win Game 2 of playoff series
Posted April 22, 2014 11:59 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It was a nailbiter as the Toronto Raptors were looking for home court advantage as they faced the Brooklyn Nets in Game two of their playoff series.
DeMar DeRozan poured in 30 points to lift the Raptors to a 100-95 victory over the Nets, showing none of the post-season jitters that had plagued him in Game 1.
Amir Johnson had 16 points and nine rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 14 boards for his second double-double of the series, while Kyle Lowry had 14 points, nine boards and six assists. Patrick Patterson added 12 points and nine rebounds for the Atlantic Division champions.
The Raptors led by as much as 11 in the second quarter but the Nets got hot in the third and took a 66-64 advantage into the fourth.
Outside the Air Canada Centre, thousands of fans dressed in white and red gathered in Maple Leaf Square to cheer on their team.
The Raps were looking to tie up the series and have their first playoff game win in six years.
The massive street party, which had fans change the name of Maple Leaf Square to Jurassic Park, started hours before tip off.
Chants of “Lets Go Raptors” and “We The North” filled the air outside the Air Canada Centre.
Among the excited fans heading to the game was Mayor Rob Ford.
“It’s amazing. I love Raptors. It’s amazing. We’re going to tie it up,” Ford told CityNews before the game.
As the final seconds counted down to the Raptors victory the crowd erupted in celebration.
“They know how to deliver and they did what they had to do to get that W,” one fan told CityNews.
The series is now tied at one game a piece.
Game 3 takes place Friday in Brooklyn.
With files from The Canadian Press
