体坛英语新闻： Raptors record franchise-best 52 rebounds in win over Nets

TORONTO, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Toronto Raptors collected a playoff franchise-record 52 rebounds in the team's 100-95 victory over Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday evening in game 2 of the NBA playoff series.

Toronto's previous record was 50 rebounds set nearly 12 years ago on April 24, 2002 against Detroit Pistons.

In Tuesday's victory, Toronto had a significant advantage on the boards, out-rebounding Brooklyn 19-11 on the offensive end and 52-30 overall.

"I thought that was huge. It was 52-30," said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey after the win. "We've been chastised in a lot of things. I thought tonight we took advantage of it (Brooklyn's small line-up)."

In early December, Nets' coach Jason Kidd was forced to modify his line-up when All-Star center Brook Lopez's season ended with a foot injury.

Kidd was forced to shuffle his line-up by moving Kevin Garnett from power forward to center and Paul Pierce from small forward to power forward.

The result of the change benefited Kidd's squad on the offensive end, as the 2.01-meter Pierce provides opposing power forwards challenges on guarding his long-range ability. Traditional power forwards are bigger in size and less mobile.

On defence and rebounding, Pierce's size and height have provided challenges for the Nets, especially on one-on-one scenarios.

"They got Pierce at the 4, coach was telling me to go the glass every time, offence and defence," said Raptors forward Amir Johnson, who recorded nine rebounds in the game. "That was the goal."

Johnson along with Patrick Patterson and Kyle Lowry all grabbed nine rebounds in the game while center Jonas Valanciunas had a game-high 14 rebounds.

Valanciunas has recorded game-high rebounds in two both games of the series so far. The Lithuanian big man recorded a franchise playoff-record 18 rebounds in game one where Toronto also out-rebounded Brooklyn 45-37.

"We're just playing hard to get those rebounds," said Valanciunas, who does not think the size disparity is the main reason for his team's rebounding dominance.

Toronto will need to continue their success on the boards if they plan on advancing past the first round.