NBA Review: Raptors Hang On, Nets Win! Nets Win!

A historic night in the National Basketball Association as the New Jersey Nets — the lovable losers that were threatening to break a decades-old record for futility — won their 10th game of the season. Also, the Toronto Raptors kept their slip-sliding playoff hopes alive. Here’s the rundown:

New Jersey Nets 90, San Antonio Spurs 84

So it’s official — the Nets won’t be the worst team in NBA history.

Thanks to a six-point shocker over the Spurs Monday night, the Nets surpassed the worst-ever 9-73 mark set by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers. It was a huge win for New Jersey — public address announcer Gary Sussman shouted “WE GOT 10!” at the final horn, signifying that the Nets wouldn’t go down in infamy as the worst team in NBA history.

As for the game itself, it was a stunner. The Nets hadn’t beaten San Antonio since 2002 — the Spurs had won 14 straight against New Jersey coming into the contest — and the game seemed like one the Spurs needed to have for playoff jockeying in the Western Conference.  The Spurs had also won 12 of their last 16, but were without Manu Ginobili and Roger Mason Jr., who sat out the contest due to injury.

Brook Lopez led the Nets (10-64) with 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the team got bonus contributions from Devin Harris (17 points, nine assists), Courtney Lee (19 points) and rookie Terrence Williams (13 points, seven rebounds).

Richard Jefferson led San Antonio with 16 points.

Toronto Raptors 103, Charlotte Bobcats 101

The Raptors — just a half-game up on Chicago for the final playoff spot in the East — came into this contest with 7th-place Charlotte knowing they needed a win.

And a win is exactly what they got.

Chris Bosh led the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Raps won a huge game in terms of playoff implications, snapping a three-game losing streak by beating the Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena.

The win moves Toronto to within two games of Charlotte for 7th place and does wonders for their once-dwindling postseason chances. The Raptors had struggled of late, losing 13 of their last 17 heading into Monday’s showdown including back-to-back games where they blew fourth quarter leads. But that wasn’t the case against Charlotte, as the Raps too one of the NBA’s best defenses to school in the final frame. Toronto scored 31 points in the fourth quarter, and the 103 points marked the first time in 14 games that Charlotte had allowed more than 100 points.

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