Williams has 22 points to lead Nets to series-opening playoff win over Raptors
TORONTO – Deron Williams and Joe Johnson both scored 24 points as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Toronto Raptors 94-87 in the opening game of their NBA playoff series Saturday.
Toronto, which won a club-record 48 games this season, erased a five-point deficit in the fourth to lead 76-75 with about five minutes remaining.
But the Nets surged ahead 82-76 with 2:57 to play on veteran Paul Pierce’s three-pointer.
Toronto was playing in its first playoff game since 2008.
Kyle Lowry led Toronto with 22 points.
Prior to the contest, Raptors GM Masai Ujiri addressed pumped-up fans at Maple Leafs Square, pairing an F-bomb and Brooklyn on his way off the stage.
The crowd loved it, roaring in response.
But Ujiri was quick to apologize during a media gathering at halftime in the Air Canada Centre.
The second game of the series goes Tuesday night at the ACC.
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