As the Eastern Conference playoff race has developed this season, three things have become apparent. The Brooklyn Nets have the look of a playoff team, the East has split itself into two tiers and the Nets are not on that top level yet.
The Nets (21-23) threw an early punch at the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena Friday night, jumping out to an early nine-point lead, but the Raptors (32-12) took care of business from there, turning the game around in the second period and cruising to a 122-105 victory.
For Brooklyn, it was their seventh consecutive loss in Toronto and their 13th defeat in their last 14 matchups with the Raptors overall.