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DeRozan and Raptors dominate Nets

Jan 30, 2012 - 2:59 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - DeMar DeRozan poured in a game-high 27 points on 8-of-12 from the floor as the Toronto Raptors pounded the New Jersey Nets, 94-73, at Prudential Center.

Jerryd Bayless finished with 17 points and six rebounds, while Linas Kleiza netted 15 points and Jose Calderon added 10 for the Raptors, who bounced back from a 96-81 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.

"I thought DeMar did a heck of a job attacking the basket," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "He has to continue to attack because he's too athletic and quick not to get to the rim."

Deron Williams paced the Nets with 24 points and six assists and Anthony Morrow added 14 points in defeat. New Jersey had its brief two-game winning streak halted.

Toronto had the better of the play in the opening 12 minutes, shooting 55 percent from the floor and leading by as many as five points, but New Jersey stayed within striking distance and Jordan Farmar sank a layup with 13 seconds left in the quarter to tie the game at 24.

Trailing 30-28 early in the second quarter, the Raptors went on a 12-1 run to take a 40-31 lead with 3:13 left in the first half. A jumper by Williams stopped the run and another make by Farmar at the end of the quarter -- this one with five seconds left -- cut the deficit to 44-39 at the break.

Toronto used the third quarter to put some distance between itself and the Nets.

Leading by five less than two minutes into the third frame, the Raptors went on a quick 10-0 run to take a 56-41 lead, capped by a pair of DeRozan free throws, with nine minutes to play in the quarter.

Toronto continued to pour it on, outscoring the Nets in the quarter 26-14 to hold a comfortable 70-53 edge heading into the final stanza.

The Raptors kept the Nets at a distance throughout the final quarter, leading by no less than 13 the rest of the way.

"We don't have any excuses, we just should have played with a little more effort on the defensive end." Nets forward Shawne Williams said. "We have to pay attention to the game plan more. Coach is doing his job, we have to do our job."

Game Notes

Sunday marked the second meeting of the season between these Atlantic Division foes. New Jersey took the opener of the season series, 97-85, on January 6 in Toronto...Toronto finished shooting 51.5 percent from the floor, while New Jersey shot just 36.5 percent...The Raptors turned 16 Nets turnovers into 19 points...Ed Davis contributed nine rebounds and six points for Toronto...The game was tied seven times...Farmar finished with eight points for New Jersey.