Nets vs. Raptors preview: headed north to meet cold team

SB Nation

Jordi had said it best after Brooklyn’s 106-95 loss to the Miami Heat.

“Little mistakes that you can correct, and shots going in or not — I’m happy with the looks that we had that didn’t go in. So sometimes,

a little bit of that is the difference, right?” Thank you for the quote Collin.

When you have a team as young as this, there will be nights where shots are simply not falling. But if the effort is there, as Jordi seemed to think that it was, you can handle a loss like the one the Nets had a couple of nights ago. As we should know better than any other franchise, it is a marathon, not a sprint. And when you’re rebuilding over a number of years, that marathon can sure stretch out.

Tonight, the Nets will look to get back in the winning column against the Toronto Raptors, who are coming into this contest with a not-so-pleasant loss to the Jaylen Brown-less Celtics. Although the Raptors have the fifth best record in the East, their 3-7 in their last 10 and have a worse record at home (6-7) vs. the road (9-5.)

Where to Watch

Check out the action at 6:00 p.m. sharp on the YES Network, while also streaming on the Gotham Sports App. For out-of-towners, it’s League Pass.

Injury Report

Cam Thomas (left hamstring), Drake Powell (that right ankle again), and Haywood Highsmith (right knee) will all be out. Ben Saraf, Tyson Etienne, and E.J. Liddell will be out on Long Island duties at the G League Winter Showcase in Orlando.

For the Raptors, R.J. Barrett (knee) and Jakob Poeltl (back) will be out.

The Game

The loss against the Celtics was not a good look for the Raptors. First, the Celtics did not have Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. Second, the main options (besides Brandon Ingram who scored 24 points) did not show up. Scottie Barnes went 5-of-15 for a mediocre 12 points, Ja’Kobe Walter, who is not seeing the same amount of action that he saw during his rookie season, only had seven points in 15 minutes of action, and Immanuel Quickly had an abysmal three points in 32 minutes. This is the second game in a row where Quickly went for less than 10 points while playing over 25 minutes.

The Raptors still have a respectable 17-12 record, which is good for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Which means that the Nets still have to look to attack.

Nic Claxton and Michael Porter Jr. could be in the running to have a big game due to the Raptors lack of size. Don’t be surprised if he is able to get in the lane for paint touches in which he can get his own while finding others for open looks. He’s averaging a career high 4.5 assists per game.

Player To Watch: Brandon Ingram

When you look at a player like Brandon Ingram, you realize that consistency can make players underrated in a sense. This season, Ingram has been averaging 22 points per game on 47% from the field. He has been averaging at least 20 for seven seasons now. With his long frame, Ingram can get his shot off whenever he wants. It will be tough to defend him, which is why the Nets should take the approach of what they will willing to give up instead of what they can take away.

As CBS Sports reported Sunday, Ingram has often saved the Raptors and is happ7 to rise to the occasion.

Ingram co-led the Raptors in scoring with Sandro Mamukelashvili, and the former also tied a season high with seven dimes during Saturday’s loss. Ingram continues to carry the scoring load for the Raptors this season, even more so in the absence of RJ Barrett (knee), who has not played since Nov. 23 against the Nets. In the 12 games without Barrett in the lineup, Ingram has averaged 24.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 threes over 35.8 minutes per game.

From the Vault

Greg Biffle, the beloved NASCAR driver who died this week in a private plane crash in North Carolina, was not only known for his championship driving skills but his humanitarian work in the hills of his native North Carolina, raising money for the less fortunate and last year organizing a helicopter ferry service when rural parts of the state became inaccessible during

Like a lot of pro athletes and sports figures, Biffle did a lot of his community work outside the limelight. For him, it was a Carolina charity that helped foster children, the extent of his help not known till after his death. Rest in peace.