Raptors survive late-game comeback by Nets, take 3-2 series lead
The Toronto Raptors escaped with a 115-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 on Wednesday night to take their first playoff series lead since May 11, 2001. They're up 3-2 heading back to Brooklyn for Game 6 on Friday.
Kyle Lowry had a playoff career-high 36 points for the Raptors, while DeMar DeRozan finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Leading the charge for the Nets was Joe Johnson, who had 30 points - 26 of which came in the second-half - five rebounds, and three assists.
Star Performer
In addition to matching his playoff career-high in points, Lowry joined LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal as only the players in the last 20 years to put up 36 points and six assists against the Nets in a playoff game.
Turning Point
Trailing by 22 points at one point in the fourth quarter, the Nets came crawling back to tie the game 101-101 with 3:16 remaining. They outscored the Raptors 44-24 in the fourth quarter, as the game went down to the wire. Thanks to some late-game heroics by Lowry, Greivis Vasquez, and DeRozan, the Raptors regained the lead and - barely - held on.
Highlight Reel
Lowry nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Raptors a 62-44 lead at the half:
Drake happily joined in on a mocking "Broooookkklyn" chant:
[Courtesy: Twitter/@_MarcusD_]
Quote of the Night
Raptors fans were especially boisterous Wednesday night, which prompted the Nets' official Twitter account to deliver this message to their own fan base:
#Nets fans take note- this is what a playoff crowd sounds like..set your DVD and take notes #RAPTORSvNETS - LR
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) May 1, 2014
Series at a Glance
Game 1: BRK 94, TOR 87 (Nets lead 1-0)
Game 2: TOR 100, BRK 95 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3: BRK 102, TOR 98 (Nets lead 2-1)
Game 4: TOR 87, BRK, 79 (Series tied 2-2)
Game 5: TOR 115, BRK 113 (Raptors lead 3-2)
Game 6: Friday, May 2 - 7 p.m. ET
Game 7*: Sunday, May 4 - TBA