DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points and made two big baskets down the stretch, helping the Toronto Raptors draw even in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series with the Brooklyn Nets with a hard- earned 100-95 decision at Air Canada Centre.
DeRozan shook off a 3-of-13 shooting performance in Toronto's Game 1 loss to the Nets on Saturday by burying a pair of clutch jumpers late, with the first breaking an 85-85 tie with 2:45 left and the next extending the lead to four on the ensuing possession.
The Raptors held off the Nets the rest of the way to send this best-of-seven set deadlocked at 1-1 to the Barclays Center for Friday's Game 3.
Amir Johnson aided Toronto's cause with 16 points and nine rebounds, with Jonas Valanciunas posting 15 points and 14 boards in the Raptors' first playoff win since 2008.
Joe Johnson paced the Nets with 18 points and Deron Williams netted 15 in the loss. Paul Pierce, who scored nine points in the final three minutes in Brooklyn's 94-87 Game 1 triumph, managed just seven while going 2-of-11 from the field.
[SportsNetwork.com]
