Notebook:: Raptors Hand Nets 11th Loss In A Row

DeMar DeRozan Starts Slow, Finishes Scorching

Toronto set a new franchise mark for most wins at the halfway point of the season (28) after beating Brooklyn at Barclays Center on Tuesday. DeMar DeRozan notched a double-double, finishing with 36 points and 11 rebounds, but the Raptors’ guard took some time to find his shooting rhythm against the Nets.

DeRozan shot just 3-of-14 in the first half, but he must have found his groove in Toronto’s locker room at the break as he ended the game having shot 10-of-14 in the second half (13-28 for the game). Post-game, DeRozan said it was just about being patient.

“I just kept playing the same way,” he said. “You know, getting good looks and just going out there and I know it’s going to come, it’s just more so being patient, not really worrying about the misses.”

Lucas Nogueria Underwent Concussion Protocol

Lucas Nogueria, who is now providing the kind of rim protection the Raptors lost when Bismack Biyombo accepted Orlando’s free agent offer this past off-season, took a hit to the head in the first quarter against Brooklyn. He left immediately and went to the locker rooms for to undergo concussion protocol.

The Raptors said he was experiencing blurred vision. He did not return to the game, and left the change rooms without talking to media.

Is Caris LeVert Giving Nets Fans Hope For The Future?

Rookie Caris LeVert is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable (at best) year for Brooklyn. Against Toronto, LeVert had 14 points, including the team’s final 10 points of the third term, along with four assists, two steals and a block. After the game, Nets’ coach Kenny Atkinson suggested he might need to find more minutes for LeVert given how well he’s been playing.

“We want to bring him along intelligently, grow him. He’s pushing us for more minutes, and it’s something we’ll look at,’’ Atkinson said. “But if he keeps playing like this, he’s obviously demanding more minutes, more time.”

Feature Image: AP