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Raptors visit Nets in playoff rematch from last season

Nov 2, 2007 - 1:21 PM Toronto (1-0) at New Jersey (1-0) 7:30 pm EDT

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) - The defending Atlantic Division champion Toronto Raptors visit the New Jersey Nets on Friday in a rematch of an Eastern Conference first-round series from last season.

The Nets, who have won the Atlantic Division in four of the last six season, ousted their division rivals in six games last spring.

Jason Kidd averaged a triple-double against the Raptors, posting 14.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 13.2 assists per game, and Vince Carter averaged 25.0 points against his former team.

Chris Bosh led the Raptors in that series, scoring 17.5 points and grabbing 9.0 rebounds.

Toronto got off to a successful start in defending its division crown, winning the season-opener against Philadelphia, 106-97, on Wednesday.

T.J. Ford had 14 points and 12 assists and last season's No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 20 points.

New Jersey started off the new campaign with a victory as well, defeating Chicago, 112-103, in overtime.

Richard Jefferson led the Nets with 29 points and 10 rebounds and Antoine Wright scored a career-high 21 points off the bench. Kidd added seven points, 13 assists and five steals.

The Raptors have lost six straight in New Jersey, including three in last season's playoffs.

Toronto also has lost its last seven road-openers. The last time the Raptors won its first road game of the season was November 5, 1999 at New Jersey.