FORT WAYNE -- The Brooklyn Nets opened the 2014 NBA playoffs with a huge 94-87 road win over the Toronto Raptors early Saturday afternoon at the Air Canada Centre.
All-Stars Deron Williams and Joe Johnson each had 24 points for the visiting Nets, but it was wily veteran Paul Pierce who carried Brooklyn to a 1-0 lead in this best-of-7 Round 1 series.
Pierce, the former Boston Celtics captain who won a title in 2008, dropped 9 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Nets finished the game on a 19-11 run. Pierce also had four rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes and 32 seconds of play.
Kevin Garnett only had five points for Brooklyn, but the 7-foot center grabbed eight boards and helped provide the defensive punch that held the Raptors to just 28 of 71 form the field, a low 39.4 percent.
Nets head coach Jason Kidd was very pleased with the performance of point guard Deron Williams, who made 8-of-20 filed goals and dished three assists while setting the table for Brooklyn's offense.
"He came out with high energy. I thought he was looking to be aggressive in scoring the ball, He got the guys off to a good start," Kidd told reporters at his post game press conference.
Kyle Lowry led the Raptors with 22 and eight assists while 6-foot-11 center Jonas Valanciunas finished with 17 and 18 rebounds.
Game 2 returns at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night ( Wednesday morning in Manila).
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