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yyys123 · Joined: 08 Jul 2019 Posts: 855

TORONTO - In NBA playoff history only 16 teams, of a total 255, have comeback from an 0-2 hole to win a seven-game series. Teams that have taken the first two games go on to claim the series 94 per cent of the time. Just as damning, only 27 lower-seeded teams have ever won the first two contests on the road in a seven-game series. 24 of them moved on. The Raptors know whats at stake going into Tuesdays Game 2, having dropped the opener to Brooklyn three days prior. "Its a lot better to be 1-1 than 0-2," said Kentucky grad Patrick Patterson, crunching the numbers following a second straight afternoon of practice Monday. "I like to think it is (a must-win). Listen to Josh Lewenberg and Duane Watson weigh the importance of Game 2 and discuss the keys to evening the series in a playoff edition of TSN 1050s Raptors Report podcast. If Game 2 is not a must-win, its pretty close. Of course, Toronto is not dead in the water should Tuesdays rematch go the way of Saturdays disappointing loss. The Raptors have proven to be resilient all season long, at their best with their back up against the wall, but Dwane Casey knows this is not the time to be tempting fate. "Its important we win," the Raptors coach said. "Going down 0-2 is very difficult to come out of. Must win? I dont think that means were done (if we lose). We want to win (Tuesday) but we still have games to be played. It would make it very difficult. I wouldnt say its dire. Its tough, but its not over with if (we lose)." A second straight defeat on Tuesday would require the Raptors to win at least two games in Brooklyn to advance, a difficult proposition despite their success on the road this season. The Nets have won 22 of their last 26 games at Barclays Center, good for the leagues best home record in 2014. With one postseason game under their belt, Casey and his team are hopeful that any playoff jitters they may have experienced on the weekend have subsided. The obstacles havent changed. Theyre still fighting a battle-tested group - and by extension, the officials - but they should know what to expect, and be better prepared as a result. "We dont feel pressure, man, at all," said Greivis Vasquez, who was the first to refer to Game 2 as a must-win, shortly after Saturdays loss. "We feel like the first game, we were anxious. I havent been in the playoffs in two years. A couple of guys have been in the playoffs, too, but havent been out there in a couple years." "We got it out of our system. Now were going to play Raptors basketball. Were going to defend, were going to rebound, were going to pass, were going to share the ball, were going to get the fans involved (and) were going to have fun. No pressure. This is basketball. This is fun." The Raptors have had a couple days to regroup, to watch film, to study and make adjustments. At this juncture it would be counterproductive to reinvent themselves, the tweaks that theyve made are minor. Ultimately it will come down to execution, on both ends of the floor. "Were disappointed but were anxious to get a second chance at it," Casey said. "I think the second time around well get the first game jitters away, out of us. We know were fighting a veteran, crusty team thats been there before. We worked on some things, made some adjustments in certain situations that we know we can do better." One such adjustment could include Landry Fields, who has fallen out of Caseys rotation - for the most part - since the team acquired four serviceable reserves from Sacramento in early December. In an attempt to neutralize Joe Johnson or Paul Pierce, Casey could turn to Fields off the bench Tuesday. "Weve thought about it," he admitted. "Thats one of the match-ups well look at, one of the personnel adjustments well have to look at. Not only on Joe Johnson, could be on Paul Pierce, could be (Shaun) Livingston. Thats what they try to do, get the weak link matchup-wise and go at him, so we might have to use (Fields) on one of those guys." Fields has played sparingly and is still limited offensively, often hesitant to shoot following mid-season wrist surgery. When called upon hes been ready and reliable, an active body on offence and a versatile defender off Torontos bench. Pierce and Johnson were responsible for 15 of the Nets 27 fourth-quarter points Saturday, as Brooklyn went the entire frame without being whistled for a single defensive foul. The Raptors, on the other hand, were called for six. "Im not going to comment on officiating," Casey maintained, "except to say I went back to watch the calls in the fourth quarter and we didnt get any and thats unusual." "If youre too physical, the refs are going to call fouls and youll get in foul trouble," Patterson said. "If youre not physical enough, then (the Nets will) take advantage of you on the offensive and defensive end. We have to find the right amount of physicality to have out there as far as defensive pressure and our intensity offensively. The first game is under our belt and were just concentrating on the second game." Tubular Shadow Sko . The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup. Adidas Nmd Xr1 Norge . The senior threw for 319 yards and no interceptions in his final college game, leading No. http://www.nmdnorgesalg.com/nmd-r1-sko-norge.html . - The Clippers have signed guard Dahntay Jones to a second 10-day contract. Adidas Gazelle Tilbud . The 42-ranked Czech saved seven break points while converting his one chance, and defeated the No. 3 seed in 1 hour 46 minutes. Rosol, who lost in the final in Stuttgart against Roberto Bautista Agut on Sunday, awaits the winner between Philipp Kohlschreiber or 2011 champion Gilles Simon. Ultra Boost Norge . -- C.J. Wilson parked his car and laughed while signing autographs for faceless fans who handed bats, balls and cards to the pitcher from the other side of a brick wall.AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey has had surgery on his broken right thumb. The team said on Friday that hell wear a splint on the thumb for two weeks before being ree-evaluated.dddddddddddd The Pistons announced Thursday that Stuckey broke a bone in his thumb after catching it in a car door. He averaged 11.5 points in 76 games last season. ' ' '