L.I. Nets capture home opener

The Long Island Nets (1-0), the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, defeated the Raptors 905 (0-1), 123-120 during the team’s home opener at Nassau Coliseum Nov. 10.

Brooklyn two-way forward Jalen Wilson posted a double-double with 33 points, 10 rebounds in addition to two assists and one steal in 35 minutes. Long Island guard Kennedy Chandler recorded 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals in 29 minutes. While on assignment with Long Island, Brooklyn center Noah Clowney added a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds in addition to four blocks, two assists and one steal in 31 minutes. Brooklyn assignee Dariq Whitehead notched five points, four assists, one steal and one block in 20 minutes.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the first quarter, tying the match twice. The 905 snuck past the Nets and went on a 6-0 lead and closed the period ahead by three, 31-28. Long Island’s offense worked hard in the second quarter, going on an 18-4 run in the opening four minutes. Raptors 905 tried to close the gap and came within one point of the Nets, but Long Island’s momentum continued. The Nets shot 54.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from distance in the second period to close the first half ahead by four, 64-60.

Long Island carried its offensive effort over to the third quarter, outscoring the 905 35-30. The Nets kept their lead and closed the third period ahead by nine, 99-90. Raptors 905 fought hard in the fourth quarter, outscoring Long Island 30-24. Despite Raptors 905 shooting 50 percent from the field, the Nets slipped past the 905 and went on to defeat the team by three, 123-120. 

Raptors 905 forward Mouhamadou Gueye and guard Javon Freeman-Liberty added 26 points each in 34 and 33 minutes, respectively. Raptors two-way guard/forward Ron Harper Jr. posted 25 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in 29 minutes. Raptors 905 guard Markquis Nowell notched a double-double with 19 points and 13 assists in 35 minutes.