Arizona in the NBA: Rondae, Raptors roll Nets in playoff opener

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Stanley Johnson did not play, which disappointed Toronto fans

(Editor’s note: With Pac-12 sports gone until January, we will be recapping every NBA playoff game that includes a former Arizona Wildcat, along with some social media reaction.)

The Toronto Raptors took their first step toward defending their NBA title on Monday by demolishing the Brooklyn Nets 134-110 in their playoff opener.

The Raptors sprinted out to a 17-point lead in the first quarter and expanded it to 73-51 at the half.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who spent the first four years of his career with the Nets before signing with Toronto, had six points, two rebounds and a block in 11 minutes. He was 1 for 3 from the field but 4 for 4 from the free-throw line. His lone bucket was a reverse layup that gave Toronto a 41-22 lead early in the second quarter.

Stanley Johnson didn’t play for the Raptors, who have been on a roll since the NBA restart, winning eight of their last nine to finish as the No. 2 seed in the East.

The Nets are notably short-handed, missing Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie and DeAndre Jordan due to injuries and/or COVID-19 concerns.

The Raptors got 30 points and 11 assists from former Arizona Wildcat killer Fred VanVleet.

What’s next?

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. MST on ESPN.

Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic open their series against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. MST on TNT.

T.J. McConnell and the Indiana Pacers being their series against Andre Iguodala, Solomon Hill and the Miami Heat on Tuesday at 1 p.m. MST on TNT.

Remember: every NBA playoff game is taking place in the bubble at Walt Disney World.

What they’re saying about Arizona’s guys on social media

The Rondae revenge series

— AFunkyDiabetic (@FunkyDiabetic1) August 17, 2020

Rondae deserves more minutes man, he hustles so hard

— Nickolas (@Nick_Young9) August 17, 2020

cant let guys like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson score on you

— Brooklynsbeat (@brooklynsbeat) August 17, 2020

Rondae gets some wild rebounds out of the dunker spot. Teams just completely forget about him on other wise of the rim and lose the box out complete.

— Matt Shantz (@m_shantz) August 17, 2020

Are we allowed to enjoy a Rondae shimmy? #Nets #Raptors

— NetsRepublic.com (@NetsRepublic) August 17, 2020

Rondae touch is hilarious. It’s like he’s throwing cylinder blocks at the bucket

— Is this the Dagger ? (@SiakamSpin) August 17, 2020

Imagine how good Rondae is feeling right now

— Neeraj Varma (@neerajvarms) August 17, 2020

I really hope Rondae gets more run in this series. His game is so herky-jerky and weird.

I love it.#WeTheNorth

— Hasan Tahir (@Jabber_Wocky) August 17, 2020

Yes this is a sweep. Stanley Johnson bout to get 1st quarter minutes in game 4.

— яɪɔɦаʀđ (@RichardXLent) August 17, 2020

this game over bring on stanley johnson

— adam (@basedadxm) August 17, 2020

Is this the earliest we will see a Stanley Johnson sighting?

— Ben G (@Groner36) August 17, 2020

AT THIS RATE STANLEY GONNA BE OUT HERE BEFORE THE HALF

— Stanley Johnson Fan Account (@cameron_pye) August 17, 2020

I respect the Raptors for not unleashing Stanley Johnson just yet. In due time... in due time...

— Aaron Johnson (@AJohnsonNBA) August 17, 2020

How many do we need to be up by to see some Stanley Johnson point forward minutes?

— Stanley Johnson Fan Account (@cameron_pye) August 17, 2020

STANLEY JOHNSON HOURS????

— Jordan Hayles (@MR_STiXX) August 17, 2020

The difference between the Raptors and the Nets.

Stanley Johnson hasn’t played in a blowout yet for the Raptors.
He would’ve started for the Nets.

— i. (@_NopeName) August 17, 2020

Raptors have like 3 guys that I thought Stanley Johnson would be. And none of those 3 are Stanley Johnson.

I still believe in Stanley Johnson.

— Jamon Alexander (@jamonalexander) August 17, 2020

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