But when you heard him say, "this is why they brought me here", he meant it for games like tonight. Not for letdown spots in Game 2's.
He can give you 21 to 24 on any given night and is an incredible all-time clutch player that no one on the Raptors even approaches to being compared to for a big game performance.
Expect better, expect clutch. Better in a close series like this one means a win SU.
-1 on the spread for this bullet.
3. KG
Showed some life last game. This is really his last hurrah. This game, the statement he can make here tonight, which he has played up in the media, will be crucial for everything and anything he can do to counter Valanciunas who has been outstanding in the first two games, not only outplaying KG, but KG/Blatche and Plumlee combined.
This game is also the reason they brought him here. The defensive intensity will be there and if we can get 10-12, it will be a huge bonus.
-.5 on the spread (a questionable .5 though)
4. Nets at home
Nothing much needs to be said here because you already know it.
Down the stretch of this season, no team played better than the Nets at home.
The Knicks game I argued about in which they were beat at home? Ancient history. The Knicks are long gone and the Nets are still standing.
They know they are great at home and will prove it tonight.
The fans? The last playoff home game they witnessed was the most embarrassing big game loss in the history of the franchise.
Tonight they return to the scene of the Bulls crime.
JJ and Deron personally took responsibility for that loss and now they are back for a chance at redemption. They will leave if out there tonight. That is all you can ask for from two guys of questionable motivation.
Interestingly, before the Nets 15 game home winning streak, the last loss was to?
The Raptors 104-103.
Yet, I will note it was off a back to back and it was the DWill inbounds pass fiasco game where all he had to do was inbound and get a foul and the Nets win. A steal and a bucket later and the Raps had a win.
The fans? They will be amped and they deserve a win here and should be excited about their chances.
-2 on the spread for this bullet
5. The Raptors expected performance
We have to look for a comedown here offensively.
Derozan and Lowery did not play well for 3 quarters and hadn't Derozan exploded 17 in the final quarter, it would have been another bad game for him.
The problem for the Raptors? They needed EVERY POINT of that 17.
I can promise you the Nets will not allow anything close to that tonight.
Plus this is Derozan's first road playoff game. If he's rattled at home in front of his fans for game 1, he'll be rattled tonight in Brooklyn.
A worse Derozan means an expected win for the Nets
-1 on the spread for this bullet
6. What they built
Plain and simple - this team is full of Hall of Famers, both playing and coaching for a reason.
It's win NOW or else.
You don't drop your first home to a young and feisty, but not playoff tested Raptors team after all the signings, spending, media horde, the lowest of lows to start the season and then a big high and great basketball to end it.
This is the Nets game to win and the Raptors will have in obvious letdown spot for one game.
Prokhorov is flying in to attend these home games. He almost never comes to any of their games. This is big time. This is why the Nets have the highest payroll plus luxury tax in the history of the league.
He built this and they will win for him tonight.