Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry (centre) is fouled by Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Garnett (left) as Nets Alan Anderson looks on during first half NBA playoff basketball action in Toronto on Saturday, April 19 , 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
April 19, 2014 - 12:30 PM
TORONTO - Deron Williams and Joe Johnson both scored 24 points as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 94-87 in the opening game of their NBA playoff series Saturday.
Toronto, which won a club-record 48 games this season, erased a five-point deficit in the fourth to lead 76-75 with about five minutes remaining.
But the Nets surged ahead 82-76 with 2:57 to play on veteran Paul Pierce's three-pointer.
Toronto was playing in its first playoff game since 2008.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 22 points.
Prior to the contest, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri addressed pumped-up fans at Maple Leafs Square, pairing an F-bomb and Brooklyn on his way off the stage.
The crowd loved it, roaring in response.
But Ujiri was quick to apologize during a media gathering at halftime in the Air Canada Centre.
The second game of the series goes Tuesday night at the ACC.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014