Nets Raptors Game 7 Pick

Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Game 7

Sunday 1:00 pm EST

May 4, 2014

Line: Toronto Raptors -3

Neither franchise has ever won a Game 7.

On Sunday afternoon, that’s going to change for either the Brooklyn Nets or Toronto Raptors.

Now the veteran Nets, who lead wire-to-wire in their Game 6 victory, will have to win at the Air Canada Center, where they’re already 1-2 in this series. While a matchup with the Miami Heat a wait for the winner, the Nets must figure out a way to contain Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, who have been almost unstoppable this series. Accounting for nearly half of the Raptors scoring (44.8 points per game), not even the starting lineup adjustment made by head coach Jason Kidd in Game 6, starting Alan Anderson over Shaun Livingston, was enough to stop DeRozan from scoring a game-high 28 points.

Although DeRozan’s performance didn’t hurt the Nets because the Raptors were outplayed and dominated in all facets of the game, the Nets cannot bank on that happening again. While DeRozan and Lowry look to ride the momentum of playing at home in this deciding game, Brooklyn must not get caught looking ahead to a matchup with the Heat. We know they won the season series 4-0, and the history between Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen is too enticing not to be discussed. But first, the Nets must focus on continuing to defend against Jonas Valanciunas, who’s only taking 7.3 shots per game in this series. Averaging 10.5 rebounds in less than 30 minutes per game, the Nets don’t have an answer for him. The Raptors must turn their attention towards making Valanciunas a more focal point of their offense, giving them more of a puncher’s chance of winning the game, and their first playoff series victory since 2001.

But no matter how well Valanciunas, Lowry and DeRozan play, Deron Williams is going to be the engine that drives the Nets to a Game 7 victory. Averaging 23 points in Brooklyn’s three wins, compared to 12.7 in the losses, not even an injured ankle will slow down Williams in this one.

Brooklyn is too experienced, and their desire for a championship is too great for them to struggle in this one. With the careers of Pierce and Garnett winding down, both players know the window for a championship is closing fast. Although the Nets will be focused on Game 7, I will be looking ahead to a Brooklyn-Miami matchup.

The Nets will finally get their chance to knockout the defending champs. This time, it will be in the playoffs where it matters the most.

My Pick: Nets +3 and Moneyline