Raptors avoid 'trap' in win over Nets

Raptors take care of business vs. Nets

It wasn't pretty, but the Raptors were able to settle down and get their lead back in the second quarter, outscoring the Nets 32-22 in the frame. In a 10-point victory, that's what matters.

The Raptors also got a boost in the second half from point guard Immanuel Quickley, who scored 18 of his 24 points after halftime.

“Sometimes the ball doesn’t go in,” Quickley said via Grange. “But that doesn’t change the coverage of the defence. The defence still has to honour the people that can shoot the ball with gravity … so that frees up your teammates, so that’s why you have to be aggressive whether the balls go in or not.” 

Quickley's resurgence certainly helped the Raptors in the win and he's growing more comfortable after a difficult start. Quickley has scored in double figures in each of the last four games, increasing his output in every game.

His 24 points were a season-high and the team should benefit from his improvements. After Quickley's rough start to the season, it appears that he is getting out of the funk he was in.

If the Raptors are going to be in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference this season, they have to pull out these kind of wins. The Raptors are a better team than the Nets, so they cannot afford to let a win go by the wayside.

The standings at the end of the season could come down to a game or two against other playoff hopefuls and games like this could matter more when it is all said and done.

Now, the Raptors face a tougher test on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET.