Toronto Raptors vs New Jersey Nets Apr.11/08

Carlos Delfino had 24 points to lead the Toronto Raptors 113-85 over New Jersey on Friday, officially knocking the Nets out of post-season contention.

Chris Bosh added 21 points and nine rebounds for the Raptors (40-39), who nabbed the No. 6 spot in the Eastern Conference with the win, the team's second in a row.

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T.J. Ford and Andrea Bargnani added 14 points apiece, while Jose Calderon had 11 points and 10 assists, and Rasho Nesterovic, Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon pitched in with 10 points each.

Former Raptor Vince Carter scored 21 points to top the Nets (32-47), who will sit out the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

With three games to go in the regular season, and on the tailend of a dreadful few weeks, the Raptors were eyeing the No. 6 spot in the East to avoid facing Detroit in the first round of the playoffs, plus looking to head into the post-season with some precious momentum.

Toronto went into Friday one game behind Philadelphia, which lost 85-76 to Philadelphia, for the No. 6 seed. If the season ended now, the Raptors would face Orlando in the opening round.

The Nets led for as much as 13 points in an ugly first quarter for Toronto, but the Raptors tightened up their defence and had pulled to within two points by the break, and then busted the game open with a superb third quarter. Ford contributed 12 points in the frame as the Raptors poured in 37 points and headed into the fourth with an 83-67 lead.

The Nets managed to pull within 13 points in the fourth, but that was as close as they would get. The Raptors killed any glimmering hope for the Nets with an offensive outpouring, a reverse layup by Calderon with 4:23 left giving Toronto a 25-point lead, bringing the capacity crowd of 19,800 to its feet. They would lead by as much as 27 points before the final whistle blew.

The game came two days after Bosh called out the crowd for being too quiet, and posted a video on YouTube imploring the fans to get behind the team.

He needn't have said anything _ for this game at least. The crowd is never quiet when Carter is in town, and Friday was no different.

Carter, who spent the first six years of his career in Toronto before requesting a trade during the 2004-05 season, was booed during introductions, and whenever he handled the ball. He appeared perturbed by the jeering as the game went on and when the crowd chanted ``V.C. sucks'' as he drained a pair of free throws in the third quarter, he blew the fans a kiss as he ran back up the court.

Toronto had lost to the Nets 99-90 in New Jersey last week, part of a three-game losing streak that the Raptors snapped Wednesday with a win over Milwaukee.

Bosh shot 7-for-12 on the night, and played with plenty of passion, while Delfino had the hot hand, connecting on five three-pointers. The Raptors shot 49 per cent, and outrebounded the Nets 47-39.

The first quarter was ugly for the Raptors, who allowed the Nets to shoot 61 per cent and take a 13-point lead. New Jersey led 30-18 heading into the second.

The Raptors fell behind by 14 points early in the second, but Delfino drained a three-pointer that sparked a 14-2 run that pulled Toronto to within a point. The Nets led 48-46 at the break.

New Jersey trailed by just a point midway through the third, but the Raptors outscored the visitors 19-5 to the end of the quarter to lead 83-67 with one quarter left.

NOTES: The Raptors are in Detroit to face the Pistons on Sunday in a possible playoff preview, then head home to host Miami on Monday before wrapping up the regular season Wednesday at Chicago. . . Rasho Nesterovic has scored in double figures in 16 consecutive games. . . Carter had scored a total of 44 points his previous three visits to the ACC _ all of them losses.

Category:

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• Raptors
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• Jersey
• Nets
• Apr.11/08

[mastercrunck]

LET'S GO RAPTORS!!!!VC SUCKS!!!!!

[m1ssjan3]

oh yah its carlos' night alrite ... damnn he is good when he is not lazy hahahaha

[Spooie]

lol i was watching random NBA videos when I found this on the side bar.

I was at this game it was my first NBA game

[Spooie]

lol i was watching random NBA videos when I found this on the side bar.

I was at this game it was my first NBA game

[marcpeter26]

yup ur right!!!

[pkiskool]

I like Delfino, but all he could do is launch 3's... and 3's are just not a high percentage shots (except for some specialists like Kapono). He had to go in order for the Raps to get to the next step.

[lovi23]

just watch Bosh from 5:10 to 5:25

first he plays great defense not allowing Carter to get the easy shot and then even though his knee is messed up, runs to the other side and gets the points and foul. he is the definitely still the best player we have, even when Jermaine arrives here.

the next KG, better believe it.

[Valdal555]

was there it was sick