Irving hits buzzer-beating three to lead Nets 119-116 over beleaguered Raptors

TORONTO — Kyrie Irving had 32 points, including a three-point buzzer beater with a tenth of a second on the clock, to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a 119-116 win over the struggling Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Fred VanVleet had 39 points for the Raptors (13-16), who lost four straight games for the first time this season. Scottie Barnes added 26 points while Pascal Siakam had 17 and Malachi Flynn had 13 points.

Kevin Durant had 28 for the Nets (18-12), who won their season series with Toronto 4-0.

The Raptors, starting a league-leading 16th other starting lineup, took over a commanding 18-point lead in the first half, but in what becomes an uncomfortable script of inconsistency, they went stone cold in the third quarter. They missed all five of their three-point attempts, and their 10-point halftime lead was suddenly a four-point deficit. Toronto was trailing 88-84 with a quarter to go.

Back-to-back baskets from Irving — including a 21-foot jumper that caused groans from the crowd at Scotiabank Arena — gave the Nets a 103-95, 6-12 lead. Barnes drove to the basket for a basket and pulled a foul with 2:09 to go, enthusiastically slapping his chest. His free throw in the game drew Toronto to within a point.

Barnes had another big basket to play for a one-point lead with 36 seconds, but Irving found former raptor Yuta Watanabe for a wide-open three-pointer with 14.1 on the clock.

Barnes equalized with two free throws eight seconds from time and then, with the fans on their feet, Irving hit the three-pointer dagger to send them home disappointed.

The Raptors led by 16 points in the one-point loss to Sacramento early Wednesday.

While the Raptors had mighty trouble shooting from long range, it was the Nets who failed to connect early Friday, shooting 1-8 from three-point range in the first quarter. The Raptors took the lead from the opening lead and Siakam’s finger roll with 21 seconds left in the first quarter put them up 12. They led 29-19 to start the second.

Almost on the bench, Flynn was an instant boost of energy in the second half, scoring nine points including a pair of threes. Siakam’s three-pointer at 1:17 before halftime gave the Raptors an 18-point lead, but the Nets ended the half with an 8-0 run and Toronto went 62-52 at the break.

INJURIES

The Raptors were missing Gary Trent Jr. (left quadriceps) and OG Anunoby, who sat out his third game with a left hip strain that was expected to sideline him for at least a week. Precious Achiuwa missed his 17th game with an ankle injury and coach Nick Nurse said he likely won’t be back until the new year.

The Raptors wrap up a three-game home game Sunday against the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors. You then go straight on the road to Philadelphia, New York and Cleveland for three.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on December 17, 2022.

Lori Ewing, The Canadian Press