Brooklyn Nets leaned on fourth-quarter defense and timely scoring to defeat the Toronto Raptors 96-81 on Sunday night at Barclays Center. The win snapped Brooklyn’s recent struggles and marked its lowest points allowed this season.
Michael Porter Jr. scored a game-high 24 points and added 11 rebounds to anchor the Nets on both ends. Brooklyn improved to 8-19 after outscoring Toronto 29-16 in the fourth quarter.
Noah Clowney contributed 19 points and hit a momentum-swinging three during a decisive late run. Rookie Egor Demin added 16 points, while Nic Claxton finished with 12 as Brooklyn placed consistent pressure on Toronto’s interior defense.
The Nets controlled much of the first three quarters and built a 60-45 lead midway through the third. Toronto responded with a 20-7 run to close the period as Brooklyn went scoreless from the field on seven straight attempts and committed five turnovers.
That surge carried into the fourth when consecutive baskets from Jamison Battle and Collin Murray-Boyles gave Toronto a brief 69-67 edge. Brooklyn called timeout and responded with sharper ball movement and improved shot selection.
After Battle’s dunk pushed the Raptors ahead 73-72, the Nets answered with a 10-0 burst capped by Clowney’s corner three with 7:22 remaining. The run reestablished control and forced Toronto into tougher perimeter looks.
Claxton followed with three straight baskets in the paint to extend the margin to 88-75 with under five minutes left. Brooklyn’s defense limited second chances and finished the night with a plus-17 rebound margin.
Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 19 points, while Immanuel Quickley recorded 17 points and 10 assists. The Raptors fell to 17-13 and have now lost six of their last nine after opening the season 15-7.
Toronto’s offense stalled late as it shot 37 percent overall and 28 percent from three-point range. The Raptors were further impacted when center Jakob Poeltl exited in the first quarter due to a back injury and did not return.
Brooklyn shot 47 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc while committing to a slower pace in the final minutes. The Nets also held Toronto to just 16 points in the fourth quarter.
The Raptors continue their road trip Tuesday in Miami. The Nets head to Philadelphia on Tuesday seeking consecutive wins for the first time this season.
