L.I. Nets win 2023 opener

The Long Island Nets (3-1), the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, defeated Raptors 905 (1-2) 110-102 on Jan. 2 at Nassau Coliseum.

Brooklyn two-way guard David Duke Jr. scored a game-high and season-high 30 points to go along with six rebounds, five assists and four steals in 35 minutes. Long Island forward Jordan Bowden tallied 18 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes. Brooklyn assignee Kessler Edwards recorded 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals in 32 minutes.

Long Island could not find its groove in the first quarter while Raptors 905’ offense was unwavering, leading by as many as 22 points with 3:42 remaining in the quarter.  The 905 outrebounded the Nets 21-8 and shot 60.9 percent from the field to close the period ahead by 21, 37-16.  The Nets worked hard to battle back in the second quarter, outscoring Raptors 905 36-16 on 53.6 percent shooting from the field while rebounding the 905 15-8 to cut the Raptors 905 lead to one, 53-52, at halftime.

The two teams went back-and-forth in the third quarter, tying the match 65-65 at one point with 7:56 remaining before Long Island managed to slip away from the 905. The Nets then outscored Raptors 905 30-24 in the quarter to close the period up by five, 82-77. The Nets’ strong offensive effort carried into the final quarter, with the team outscoring the 905 28-25 to go on to defeat Raptors 905 110-102.

Raptors 905 center Reggie Perry led the way for the 905 with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 30 minutes. 905 guard Saben Lee recorded 22 points, six rebounds, nine assists, four steals in 36 minutes.