First Round: Toronto Raptors (3) vs. Brooklyn Nets (6)

[INFORMER]

The Toronto Raptors won the Atlantic Division and set a franchise record with 48 wins. They've still been labeled the weakest of the top four playoff teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Nets may think so. Brooklyn dropped four of its last five games, with coach Jason Kidd resting his regulars in a 29-point loss to Cleveland on the final night of the season, as the Nets slid from fifth to sixth in the East, earning a first-round meeting with the Raptors and avoiding fourth-seeded Chicago.

"I like right where we are. A good place," Kidd said after the seeding was confirmed.

The Nets may be happy, but the third-seeded Raptors aren't too pleased at the portrayal.

"It would tick me off if that was the case," Toronto coach Dwane Casey said Thursday when asked for his opinion on Brooklyn's alleged strategy of tanking. "If they did, sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for."

Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri was also feisty, saying he and his team "haven't lost one second of sleep worrying about the Brooklyn Nets."

"They can do whatever they want," Ujiri said Thursday. "We'll be right here."

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400553085

[Mori Chu]

It seems like everybody is picking Brooklyn in this one. I picked them, too, but it was partly out of laziness. I don't really know the Raptors that well, so I just assumed they'd roll over. I heard some stats that they lose most of their close games because they don't have a real go-to scorer. But I can easily see Brooklyn being too slow, creaky, old, injured, etc. here. I still stick with my Nets prediction, but I don't feel like I know these teams very well.

Toronto has had a bit of a Suns East season, where they got rid of talent and were expected to take a nose dive but have instead overperformed. They had almost exactly the same record we did, and it got them 3rd in the East. Hmm.

[Ring_Wanted]

Toronto has had a bit of a Suns East season

Have thought the same many times.

[carey]

Ross just hit a 3 from space.

[Ring_Wanted]

I like the Raps to win the series.

[Superbone]

They had almost exactly the same record we did, and it got them 3rd in the East. Hmm.

Almost exactly? Try exactly: 48-34, same as us.

[Ring_Wanted]

Just watched one of the worst defensive plays of the season. Later in the game, by Valanciunas. GIF worthy.

[Ring_Wanted]

And Pierce destroyed the Raps in crunch time.

[INFORMER]

Some thoughts about the series and, in particular, game one:

*It's so good to see the city of Toronto be so into basketball/NBA. The atmosphere was terrific.

*I'd loved seeing Valanciunas contribute at a high level. I was mildly disappointed he didn't make a bigger leap this year, but I still think he has a bright future. I really liked his activity level in game one, and the playoff stage didn't seem too big for him.

*I don't like Lowry at all, but props to him for improving as a player. Four years into the league, he seemed like he has plateaued. His range didn't go past 16 feet. But he's really developed as a shooter and scorer.

*I'm really happy Shaun Livingston is contributing on a playoff team. He still has plenty of game left, though he'll never be the player he could have been coming into the league out of high school.

*I was poo-pooing the Eastern Conference playoffs, but I'm really interested in this series and Bulls-Wizards as well.

*I continue to covet Grevis Vasquez. I love his grit, heart, and tenacity. I still would like to see him as a Sun.

[Mori Chu]

INF, I agree with just about everything you said. I'll comment and add some more:

*It's so good to see the city of Toronto be so into basketball/NBA. The atmosphere was terrific.

Word. Anybody (like me) who figured it was just a matter of time until Toronto lost their team, because Vancouver lost theirs, is way off. The city has great fans and a lot of affluence/$$$ in the area. The Raptors just need to be remotely good and the city will support them very well.

*I'd loved seeing Valanciunas contribute at a high level. I was mildly disappointed he didn't make a bigger leap this year, but I still think he has a bright future. I really liked his activity level in game one, and the playoff stage didn't seem too big for him.

I haven't watched him very much, but the Raps fans and management seem to think he's going to be a star. I hope for their sake that he keeps improving.

*I'm really happy Shaun Livingston is contributing on a playoff team. He still has plenty of game left, though he'll never be the player he could have been coming into the league out of high school.

It's a real testament to how hard he has worked, for YEARS, to come back. I dare you to go back and watch the Youtube clip of his injury. It's gruesome. You see that and you think, "That is the last NBA minute that guy will ever play." Good for him to be back this far. And boy do the Nets need a guy like him for depth on their roster. He's making a genuine contribution.

*I was poo-pooing the Eastern Conference playoffs, but I'm really interested in this series and Bulls-Wizards as well.

Yeah, I agree. The 1-8 and 2-7 are boring, even though the Hawks won a game. But these two series are worth paying attention to. I guess Pacers-Hawks would become interesting by default if ATL wins another game. Honestly I don't think they will. I think they caught the giant sleeping, but this will wake up that Indy locker room.

*I continue to covet Grevis Vasquez. I love his grit, heart, and tenacity. I still would like to see him as a Sun.

I'd take him for sure. I can't believe how he just keeps bouncing around. Why don't teams value this guy more?

[carey]

I've asked the same question many times, the answer is usually "inconsistent shooting."

[Flagrant Fowl]

Has anyone else seen all the fans watching the game outside of the arena in Toronto? It's hard not to pull for them.

[Flagrant Fowl]

...and then I spot Drake mouthing off on the sideline. One step forward, two steps back.

[Kidd Karma]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... -1.1765245

Two quick Pierce fouls in the first 4 minutes to answer Donaghy.

Kidd beat the Nets last night. Continuing to baby KG's minutes and the starters were probably about 2 minutes late in stemming the Raptor 4th quarter run. With 1-2 days between games, Kidd needs to realize "what are you saving KG for?" 2-3 more minutes won't hurt him.

[Ring_Wanted]

Anyone watching game 7? I want the East Suns to advance.

[Ring_Wanted]

Terrence Ross doesn't know what to do with his significant gifts most of the time.

[Ring_Wanted]

Raps up by 2 after the 1Q. The Nets don't play pretty but I think they have a kack for bringing teams down to their level.

[Ring_Wanted]

Some random thoughts:

Joe Johnson is the best player on the floor.

Patterson is becoming a reliable stretch forward.

DeRozan is so tempting.

Amir is the king of the garbage/energy/hustle players, or close to it.

Absolutely every time I watch the Raptors I can't help but notice how mechanical Valanciunas is. And I don't like it at all.

[Ring_Wanted]

Superb defense by Amir on JJ. Too bad the Raps are already in bonus with more than 6 minutes remaining.

Important three by Salmons after great ball movement. Extra pass by Patterson after the defense collapsed on a penetration by DeRozan (good decision too not forcing it).

[Ring_Wanted]

And the same goes for the Nets. JJ drove by his man, Amir rotated and helped with precission but the ball went out to Thornton for a three.

Nets up by 7.