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BROOKLYN - If you subscribe to the concept of momentum, theres reason to be concerned about the Raptors chances going into Sunda

in Quasselecke 09.11.2017 08:53
von jokergreen0220 • 1.730 Beiträge

BROOKLYN - If you subscribe to the concept of momentum, theres reason to be concerned about the Raptors chances going into Sundays series deciding Game 7. Carmelo Anthony Jersey . The shift began amid Wednesdays fourth-quarter meltdown, a 44-point browbeating, and carried over to Fridays Game 6. Facing elimination on their home court, a desperate Nets team jumped out to a 34-19 lead after 12 minutes and the Raptors - dazed and confused - never recovered, trailing for the duration. So how crucial is momentum at this time of year? "If you look at the series, the way its gone, its been like a roller coaster the whole time," Dwane Casey said following his teams 97-83 loss in Brooklyn, forcing a Game 7 on Sunday afternoon, tipping off at 1:00 PM from the Air Canada Centre. "Every game has been different." And that was the extent of Caseys post-game assembly. Questions about momentum, clearly favouring their surging opponents. Questions regarding experience, also favouring the veteran Nets. The Raptors were being written off before departing Brooklyn. "To listen to some of this, we may as well not play Game 7," said an agitated Casey. "Every game is different and I know our team will bounce back." For a brief, fleeting moment, Caseys team played the unfamiliar role of favourites, up 3-2 in the series, and it wasnt a good look for them. From the moment Rudy Gay was traded theyve fancied themselves underdogs. Its what brought them together, its what motivates them. Without that built-in adversity, they were unrecognizable. The Nets opened the game with the fight you would expect from a team on the ropes and for whatever reason, Toronto was unable to match it. The Raptors were flat offensively and showed little-to-no resistance on defence. Brooklyn outscored the Raptors 22-4 in the paint, out-rebounded them 14-4 and shot an impressive 68 per cent from the field. They moved the ball, got in the lane at will and controlled the tempo of the game from the jump, while the Raptors could barely get into their offensive sets. "It just comes down to who wants it more," DeMar DeRozan had said the day prior. On Friday it was all Brooklyn. "We didnt really realize we had Brooklyn against the wall and we didnt take advantage of it like we should," said DeRozan after leading the team with 28 points, no one else scored more than Kyle Lowrys 11. "We should have known they were going to come out throwing haymakers and we werent ready for it until the second half." "We just didnt come out with the competitive nature that we needed tonight," Lowry added. "They did an unbelievable job of forcing their will on the game tonight, but we have to find a way to match that intensity." In taking control of the series, Toronto had finally dodged the dreaded inexperience narrative that theyve been trying to shake since they drew the Nets but here it is, rearing its head once again. This was a scenario Casey had considered, one he feared. "I was concerned about what would happen tonight," the Raptors coach admitted. "[In] any Game 6, a team is going to come out with a desperate mindset. With this team, they built to win a championship this year, and theyre going to come out and give you their best shot. [I] knew that coming in and tried to warn our team. Guys who havent been in Game 6 before, its one of the toughest things to do." "Again, experience is the best teacher. Now were going into Game 7, its our first time at that. Luckily we have it at home." Yes, they will play Sundays elimination game in the friendly confines of their home gym, in front of a fan base that has been exceptionally supportive throughout their playoff run. That may be the only tangible reason to like their odds. As a franchise, the Raptors have only participated in one Game 7, the infamous day of Vince Carters graduation and missed fadeaway back in 2001. They have never hosted a deciding playoff game at the Air Canada Centre. With Portlands win over Houston, the Raptors now have the NBAs longest active streak without a playoff series victory. None of Torontos starters have played in a Game 7 while Paul Pierce alone has appeared in eight, Kevin Garnett in six and Joe Johnson in four. And then theres the momentum, if you believe in such things. The Raptors say they dont buy into momentum. The Nets, however, are counting on it. "I think we just need to take this momentum from this game into the next," said Nets forward Andray Blatche, who guaranteed a victory on Wednesday and did the same for Game 7. "I think our momentum will carry over. I think we found a recipe in getting a win on defence and offence and controlling the paint." So here they are. After all this time - two weeks, six games, broken shot clocks, a lint-free global ambassador and an F-bomb dropping general manager - the division-winning Toronto Raptors are right back where they started. Theyre a young, inexperienced team in over their heads, right? Maybe. But if nothing else, theyre back in their comfort zone. Theyre going to be overlooked, theyre going to be the underdogs. So, count them out at your own risk. "We believe in ourselves," Patrick Patterson insisted. "Everyone in this locker room believes in ourselves. Weve believed in ourselves all year long. For us to have any doubt in our minds right now is unacceptable. Its not like we cant beat them. Weve beat them before. Weve done it in the regular season [and] weve done it in the playoffs." "Now we know its win or go home," DeRozan said. "Everything is on the line now. Either we step up and we play with a force from the jump ball to the end of the game, or well be going home the next day." Kenneth Faried Jersey . “The fact that he was willing to do the deal the way we wanted it to be done showed that he wanted me to be a part of something great," Lowry said, noting that Ujiri willingness to sign off on the proposal that both Lowry and his agent presented to the GM was the final straw that convinced him to return. Custom Denver Nuggets Jerseys .C. -- Al Jefferson knows few people will be giving the Charlotte Bobcats a chance to upset the Miami Heat in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. http://www.authenticnuggetsproshop.com/Jameer-Nelson-Jersey/ .The Canadian teenage golf sensation announced Thursday shell join the LPGA Tour in 2015 instead of attending the University of Florida.SAN DIEGO -- Travis dArnaud returned to San Diego, the site of his major league debut, and recorded another memorable moment. DArnauds go-ahead single in the ninth inning lifted the New York Mets to their fourth straight win, 5-4 over the San Diego Padres on Friday night. The Mets won for the ninth time in 11 games as they began a 10-game trip and matched their longest winning streak of the season. DArnaud played his first game for the Mets at Petco Park on Aug. 17, 2013. That night he went 0 for 2 with two walks. "That was my first thought all day today," he said. On Friday he had three hits and two RBIs as the Mets picked up where they left off before the All-Star break. After a slow start, dArnaud is showing the promise that has long made him among the Mets top prospects. "Im not thinking about mechanics anymore," dArnaud said. "Im more focused in on the ball that is 90 miles an hour coming at me." And the Mets stayed hot, after an 8-2 homestand. "Thats big," dArnaud said. "We had good momentum before the All-Star break happened, and we won tonight and were going to keep it going." Jeurys Familia (2-3) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win. Jenrry Mejia worked the ninth for his 11 save in 13 chances. Joaquin Benoit (3-2) took the loss as he pitched the ninth inning with closer Huston Street unavailable. Street was dealt to the Angels in a six-player trade that was announced after the game. "Its tough to see guys go," Padres third baseman Chase Headley said. "I think guys know thats part of it." New York had seized a 4-0 lead but Bartolo Colon couldnt hold it and left the game after giving up four runs in San Diegos fifth inning. Colon was derailed by a sour stomach and a headache. "He didnt feel very good," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "The fifth inning wore him down a little bit. Usually as the game goes on he gets better." Curtis Granderson drew a leadoff walk in the ninth and moved to third on groundouts by Daniel Murphy and David Wright. After Lucas Duda was walked intentionally, dArnaud punched a single to right field for his second RBI and third hit of the game. "I just try to keep my eye on the ball and put a swing on it," dArnaud said. "Fortunately, iit found a gap. Malik Beasley Jersey. ." The Mets had gotten the go-ahead run into scoring position in the eighth inning on Ruben Tejadas two-out double, but Bobby Abreu grounded out and failed to get a hit for the 18th straight time as a pinch-hitter. Colon was strong early, which was different for him. He had allowed a first-inning run in five consecutive starts, before shutting down the Padres over the first 4 1-3 innings. The Padres snapped a 25-inning scoreless skid when they scored four in the fifth. Will Venable opened with a single, Jake Goebbert walked, and they advanced on a double steal. Chris Nelson, who joined the Padres earlier Friday from Triple A El Paso, singled in Venable. Alexi Amarista, who had three hits, followed with a run-scoring single to slice the deficit in half. After Nelson and Amarista moved up on Seth Smiths grounder to first, Headley tied the game with a two-run single. New York extended its lead to 4-0 in the third when Duda scored after starting the inning with a double. DArnaud drove in Duda with his second single of the night. The Mets struck early with three first-inning runs as Ian Kennedy struggled after getting two outs. Kennedy, who had surrendered just two runs in 21 innings, allowed three hits, nailed Duda with a pitch, and walked Kirk Nieuwenhuis. "It showed the guys we are still in that zone right now," Collins said. "It was a good first inning. Hes been pitching good." The key blow was Juan Lagares single that scored Duda and dArnaud, who was aboard on a single that drove in Granderson. "Hes made some adjustments at the plate," Collins said of dArnaud. "His confidence is soaring and he is seeing the ball really good." NOTES: Padres RHP Andrew Cashner, sidelined by a sore right shoulder, will throw on Saturday. ... 2B Jedd Gyorko will play this weekend for Triple A El Paso as he rebounds from plantar fasciitis in his left foot. ... Padres SS Everth Cabrera (left hamstring strain) is expected to leave Monday for a rehabilitation assignment. ... Mets RHP Jon Niese (left shoulder strain) threw a bullpen session on Friday. ... The Mets are 4-2-1 in their last seven series. ... Mets RHP Dillon Gee (4-1, 2.56) faces Padres RHP Tyson Ross (7-10, 2.85) on Saturday night. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '

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