D-Will Propels Nets to Game 6 Victory, Force Game 7 in Toronto

NETS 97 / RAPTORS 83
Series tied 3-3

Coming off of Wednesday's disappointing effort in Toronto, the Nets left nothing to chance in Game 6, playing loose and fast for seemingly the entire contest as they blew away the Raptors 97-83. It was like the Nets were playing at Mach 3, while the Raptors were stuck in neutral for the entire night; Brooklyn not only knew they couldn't afford to lose this game, they played up to the challenge, while Toronto grew flustered by it.

Deron Williams, who has been invisible all series, was tremendous for the Nets when they needed him to be. Williams cashed in on 8-of-16 shooting for 23 points and five boards. He was especially aggressive from long distance hitting four of ten shots from behind the arch.

It was Williams 25-foot three pointer with 6:28 to go in the first quarter that gave the Nets a 14-8 lead that seemed to turn the tied for Brooklyn, who would never look back again. Everytime a player in a while and black jersey touched the basketball it seemed to go through the hoop. Whether it was Joe Johnson hitting jump shots, or Paul Pierce hitting three's, even Kevin Garnett and the Nets bench, everyone followed Williams lead.

The Nets offensive explosion was too much for Toronto. They couldn't handle it. Buckets by Shaun Livingston, and Marcus Thorton pushed the Nets lead to 18, early in the second quarter at 40-22. Williams, then, hit a couple of free throws and a basket to kill a potential run by the Raptors, as the Nets pushed their lead to as much as 27 points, 56-39 as time was ticking away in the first half.

The second half was more of the same. An even third quarter that saw Brooklyn keep their 20 point lead, gave way to a more competitive quarter for the Raptors. Toronto crawled back into it when Kevin Lowry hit a three pointer, and a jumper to cut the Nets lead down to ten, 89-79, but Williams hit the monster 3-point dagger to not only stick it to Lowry but to the entire Raptors bench, as the Nets increased the lead back to 13.

For as much flack as Williams gets for not being a clutch player here in New York, he was big in the biggest moment for this franchise. They could ill afford to lose at home with their season on the line. He played like the franchise player, the Nets pay him to be, and because of him there will be a Game 7, Sunday in Toronto.