The Brooklyn Nets nearly completed an incredible comeback in the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Toronto Raptors. But after reversing a 26-point deficit, the Nets fell just short of closing out the remarkable rally in a 115-113 loss.

After the defeat, Paul Pierce was happy to see his team turn on its sense of urgency late in the game, but said the Nets must put forth that kind of effort for a full 48 to realize their potential.

“We played with aggression in the fourth quarter,” Paul said. “We have to be able to do it, not just in spurts, but consistently throughout the game. That’s the only thing. We have to put four quarters together. Can’t do it for one or two quarters, you have to do it for four quarters.”

Brooklyn Nets v Toronto Raptors - Game 5

The Nets did it in the fourth, outscoring Toronto by 20 points in the final frame. But a poor second quarter was their downfall. Led by guard Kyle Lowry, the Raptors outscored Brooklyn by 15 in the second to build a large lead going into the break.

Before the troublesome second quarter, No. 34 was off to a great start. He knocked down a team-high eight points in the first to help the Nets keep pace early. His opening quarter included 3-of-4 shooting from the free throw line and a three off a feed from point guard Deron Williams.

Brooklyn Nets v Toronto Raptors - Game 5Late in the first, he took another feed from Williams, who had nine assists on the night, and got free down low for a layup to tie the game. However, things went awry in the second when Lowry heated up.

Afterward, the Truth identified turnovers as the Achilles heel on the night for BK. The Nets turned the ball over 13 times in the first three quarters, leading to easy buckets for Lowry and Co.

“Far too many turnovers,” Pierce said. “We allowed them to get out in transition and make some threes and that really got their crowd into the game. That’s where they really pushed the lead in that second quarter.”

The sloppy play had Toronto ahead 91-69 going into the final frame, a lead that looked all but insurmountable. Facing that huge deficit, Nets coach Jason Kidd scrapped his defensive focus and put an offense-heavy unit on the floor in the fourth, leaving The Truth as one of the odd men out. However, the veteran had no gripes and expressed confidence in the group that was on the floor.

“I didn’t really think about it. I was on the sideline cheering on my teammates,” Paul said. “They did a lovely job getting us back into the game and giving us a chance. That was the unit that was out there. They deserve to be out there to give us a shot at winning it, and while we’re on the sideline we have full confidence in that.”

The confidence was well earned by that unit. Williams led the way with 10 points five assists and two steals, while Alan Anderson, Mirza Teletovic, Joe Johnson and Andray Blatche added another 10, nine, eight and seven points respectively in the final frame. That bunch went off on a 32-10 run through the fourth and tied the game at 101 when Johnson buried a huge left-wing three.

But after watching their lead evaporate on their home floor, the Raptors responded and Lowry came through with several big shots down the stretch to keep Brooklyn at bay. However, the Nets had one final chance at the win, trailing by two with 4.9 seconds left and Blatche on the line. The center missed his second free-throw attempt and corralled his own miss, but his pass sailed out of the reach of Williams resulting in a backcourt violation that cinched a 115-113 defeat.

Afterward, Paul tipped his hat to Toronto for a well-played game, as it took a 3-2 series lead.

“You can’t take anything away from the Raptors,” No. 34 said. “They’re a good team. They find ways to expose some of the things we do defensively…They made some tough shots tonight. We got back in the game, and they made some critical shots. You have to take your hat off to some of the plays they’re making.”

NEXT UP

Now facing elimination, Brooklyn will head back home for Game 6 on Friday night at the Barclays Center.

Paul was asked after Wednesday night’s loss if he believes the Nets can win two in-a-row to take the series—and he responded with nothing but confidence.

“Without a doubt,” Paul said when asked if Brooklyn can climb out of a 3-2 hole. “We gotta take it one game at a time. We gotta take care at home. I think we’ll play better on Friday at home and we’ll see them here Sunday.”

Friday’s pivotal Game 6 is set for a 7 p.m. EDT tip and will be broadcast on ESPN 2. If the Nets win, they’ll return back to Toronto for a series-deciding Game 7 on Sunday.

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