Raptors Crush Hapless Nets 91-74

Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Things continue to get uglier for the Brooklyn Nets.

Kyle Lowry scored 17 points and grabbed 8 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors destroyed the Nets 91-74 on Wednesday night at Barclays Center.

The Nets lost their eight straight home game and fell to a season-low 10-25 overall. Their last victory at home came on December 10 against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. To make matters even worse, this is the worst home losing streak for the Nets since dropping 14 straight during their 12-70 campaign back in 2009-10.

“Their quickness dominated us,” head coach Lionel Hollins said. “It was just overall domination.” Domination is a perfect word to use, being that Jonas Valanciunas feasted on the Nets’ frontcourt to the tune of 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Brook Lopez, the reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week, continued his stellar play. He finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds & three blocks. He now has 10 games this season with 20+ points and 10+ boards. Bojan Bogdanovic (12 points), and Thaddeus Young (11 points) were the only other Nets to score in double digits.

It was a competitive contest in the first quarter, but the Raptors closed the second quarter on a 16-2 run. They finished the third quarter with a 13-4 burst that gave them a 70-56 lead and put the game out of reach.

Joe Johnson was questionable entering the game, as he battles a left thigh contusion. He started for the Nets, but shot just 2-for-7 from the floor and finished with five points. Johnson has now made at least one field goal in 919 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA.

It may have been a home game for the Nets, but they decided to switch up their uniforms against their Atlantic Division rivals. Brooklyn wore black jerseys that read “Los Nets” instead of its usual whites with “Brooklyn” on the front.

The bench continued to be an issue for Brooklyn. As a unit, they shot 5-of-19 from the field and scored just 13 points.

The Nets remain at home to take on the Orlando Magic on Friday night.