The dream is alive for the Long Island Nets after the top-ranked team in the Eastern Conference dispatched of the Raptors 905 with ease.
- Long Island Nets: 112
- Raptors 905: 99
- Final, G League, Box Score
- Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
The Long Island Nets entered the G League playoffs tied for the best record in the league. They are the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Not to mention, head coach Will Weaver and general manager Trajan Langdon were awarded Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year, respectively.
Despite all of the success for the Long Island Nets this season, they still have their sights set higher. Of course, the goal is to take home the G League championship in addition to all of the regular season success. But the single-elimination style of the G League playoffs leaves every team vulnerable. It’s not quite March Madness, but you get the idea.
The Raptors 905 entered the Nassau Coliseum facing a familiar task. They were hoping to knock off the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year. In 2018, the Raptors knocked off the Westchester Knicks and advanced all the way to the Finals before falling to the Austin Spurs.
The Raptors would have no such luck this year. The two sides battled back and forth in the first quarter, but Long Island would take control in the second quarter. The Nets outscored the Raptors 37-23 in the second.
Foul trouble would give the Raptors issues. The intensity was palpable from the opening tip. Chris Boucher and Jordan Loyd are two of the 905’s best players, but they were hampered with foul trouble for much of the game.
Despite the foul trouble for Boucher, he notched a game-high 33 points on 12-for-20 shooting. His length and ability to hit from anywhere on the court gave Long Island problems. He finished the night 4-for-8 from deep.
But the balanced attack from Long Island would rule the day. All five Nets starters finished the game in double figures and Jordan McLaughlin added 12 points off the bench for good measure.
The backcourt of Tahjere McCall and Theo Pinson combined for 42 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and four steals. The activity and energy from the backcourt were matched with toughness and physicality inside. In fact, Mitchell Creek and Alan Williams both recorded double-doubles, combining for 26 points and 23 rebounds.
This type of balanced performance is exactly why the Nets are a threat to run the table this year. Unfortunately, the dream matchup against the Westchester Knicks won’t happen. Westchester fell to the Lakeland Magic. The Nets will host Lakeland on Long Island on Tuesday, April 2 on ESPNU.
Pretty drive in the line by Tahjere
McCall pic.twitter.com/bhFpX5794n— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
Theo Pinson hit this one from Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/6c6UmVvRCR
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
Kamari Murphy pins it. pic.twitter.com/0GBohMoOvc
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
Mitch Creek buries the corner 3. pic.twitter.com/wvboMKayPJ
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) March 30, 2019
