Post Game Report: Raptors Upend Nets 104-103

No DeMar DeRozan? No problem.

Kyle Lowry scored 31 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 20 to lead the Toronto Raptors to an impressive 104-103 comeback win over the Brooklyn Nets Monday night at the Barclays Center.

Toronto (23-21) trailed 103-102 in the final seconds of this nail-biting game and it looked like another disappointing loss was en route. Fortunately, Patrick Patterson created a steal from Deron William’s bad pass and hit a game winning 12-foot jumper with 10 seconds left to seal the deal.

I’ve watched the majority of games this season but tonight’s affair was the most entertaining by a country mile.

The Raptors still sit atop off the Atlantic Division and have a 2 1/2 game lead over Brooklyn (20-23). Another fun fact: Brooklyn has won 10-12 games this month. Brooklyn has lost 2-2 games vs the ‪Toronto this month.

Offense: B+

Offensively, the Raptors were unruffled by Brooklyn’s spirited defense – a squad that currently ranks 13th in the NBA in opponent points per game (99.8). Toronto benefited from the Nets inattentiveness to the three point line, as the Raptors drained 40.9 % of their downtown attempts (9-22). The improved ball movement has been a constant since the Rudy Gay trade and was yet again evidenced in tonight’s affair with the Raptors dishing out 21 assists.

Defense: C+

Toronto still boats a top-10 defense in the association (holding opponent’s to 96.9 points per game) but lately, they have deviated from this trend. After tonight’s forgettable defensive effort, the Raptors have allowed 100 points in three of their past five games. The team collectively struggled against Brooklyn’s perimeter shooting and had no solution for Paul Pierce, who scored 33 points on 10-16 shooting. The defense needs to improve going forward.

Rebounding: B+

The Raptors won the glass battle, outrebounding the Nets 43-36. Toronto limited Brooklyn to only five offensive boards and held Kevin Garnett and Andray Blatche to a combined 17 rebounds. Valanciunas had another monster night and finished with 13 rebounds.

Game Ball: Kyle Lowry

Another spectacular performance from the former Villanova Wildcat. Lowry scored 31 points, dished out seven assists and amassed five steals on 10-18 shooting. Oh ya, he also hit a ridiculous buzzer beater at half.

Lowry is arguably the best point guard in the Eastern Conference and he better make the All-Star team – it is well deserved.

Quotes from the Brooklyn Nets (LOL)

“It’s payback time, just like we did with the Knicks. They beat us in Toronto and we have to come back and take care of it [Monday].” – Andray Blatche

“This one is personal.” – Jason Terry.