Wounded Raptors grind out Game 4 win over Nets to even series

The Toronto Raptors rode a strong first quarter and some impressive performances from injured players like Kyle Lowry and Amir Johnson to steal Game 4 87-79 at Brooklyn on Sunday and pull even at two games apiece with the Nets.

The victory guarantees a return to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Friday. Game 5 is at Toronto on Wednesday.

Star Performer

DeMar DeRozan dropped a game-high 24 points, but Lowry's 22-point performance was more impressive considering his questionable status entering Sunday. Lowry suffered a knee injury in Game 3 and was limping noticeably for most of Sunday's contest, but managed to play 34 minutes, shooting 7-for-17 from the field and hitting three 3-pointers while also adding four rebounds and two assists.

Turning Point

Toronto was red-hot in the first quarter, putting up 35 points, but scored just 32 points over the next two quarters to enter the fourth tied 67-67. DeRozan regained the lead for the Raptors with a free thrown with 4:43 remaining and Greivis Vasquez hit a 3-pointer on the next possession.

The Nets battled back from a 17-point deficit early in the game, but finished the contest 0-for-4 shooting with four turnovers in the final 4:58 - when Johnson re-entered the game despite injuring his knee in the third quarter.

Highlight Reel

Raptors fans turned out in droves in Maple Leaf Square outside Air Canada Centre in Toronto to watch Game 4 on the big screen and were very excited in the first quarter after this and-1 shot by DeRozan:

DeRozan scored 20 points in the first half while also managing to get the basketball stuck atop the backboard on a shot late in the second quarter.

Brooklyn's Shaun Livingston and Toronto's Jonas Valanciunas exchanged a few blows early in the third quarter. Valanciunas inadvertently elbowed Livingston in the head trying to box him out and Livingston responded with some love taps of his own.

Both players received technical fouls on the play.

Quote of the night

Even after leaving everything on the court, Lowry saved a little bit of wit for his post-game interview:

Series at a glance

Game 1 Recap: Nets 94, Raptors 87
Game 2 Recap: Raptors 100, Nets 95
Game 3 Recap: Nets 102, Raptors 98