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Raptors deal Nets another road loss

Dec 18, 2010 - 4:25 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Leandro Barbosa's three-pointer with 14.9 seconds remaining gave the Toronto Raptors some key separation, and they went on to top the New Jersey Nets, 98-92, at Air Canada Centre.

Andrea Bargnani finished with a game-high 32 points and Jose Calderon added 15 points and 14 assists for the Raptors, who snapped a two-game skid. Linas Kleiza notched a double-double of 18 points and 12 boards for the victors.

DeMar DeRozan added 14 points and Barbosa scored 10 in a reserve role for the Raptors.

"I think we played a good, patient game," stated Calderon. "[New Jersey] played a great first half, but we knew that we were going to get a good run. We made key shots and played solid defense in the end."

Brook Lopez led New Jersey with 20 points and Kris Humphries scored 12 to go with 12 rebounds for the Nets, who have dropped 10 straight on the road. Devin Harris added 15 and Travis Outlaw scored 14 off the bench in the loss.

Down 79-73 with 9 1/2 minutes to play, Toronto went on a 16-2 push to take an 89-81 lead inside five minutes remaining. Bargnani ignited the run with a triple and Calderon finished it with a layup.

The Nets then made five out of six from the line while Toronto missed its next five shot attempts. Bargnani ended the slump with a turnaround jumper at 1:56 to give the Raptors a 92-88 advantage.

After Lopez connected on a short tip-in to cut the deficit to 94-92, Barbosa's three-pointer gave Toronto the final space it would need.

"[Bargnani] is tough to guard," stated New Jersey head coach Avery Johnson. "We double-teamed him, but then Barbosa hit the three and that did it for us."

DeRozan made 1-of-2 from the line with 6.9 seconds left to account for the final margin.

New Jersey held a 23-21 lead after a back-and-forth first quarter and widened the gap to 48-42 at the half.

The Raptors got 13 points from Bargnani in the third quarter, but the Nets countered by shooting 55.6 percent and held a 71-69 advantage entering the fourth quarter.

Game Notes

Friday was the first in a four-game home stand for the Raptors...Calderon (foot) and Bargnani (knee) returned after missing time for Toronto...The Raptors won the rebounding margin, 43-39...New Jersey is 2-12 on the road this season...The Nets had won the five previous contests in this series...New Jersey scored 50 of its points in the paint.