Nets player grades: Nic Claxton drops 22 in 116-86 loss to Raptors

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NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (23-50) were hoping to end their losing streak against one of the teams that they were favored to beat in the Toronto Raptors (26-47) as this season comes to a close. However, Brooklyn ran into a Toronto team that was looking to continue winning games as they head into next season with a squad that they hope can make a playoff appearance.

The Nets lost to the Raptors 116-86 in a game that was essentially decided after the first quarter where Brooklyn trailed Toronto 32-18 after the first 12 minutes. Nic Claxton had one of his best games of the season for the Nets with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks, but he did not get much help from his teammates as Brooklyn shot just 35.6% from the field and 19.5% from three-point land.

There were many issues for the Nets that occurred in this game, but defense was arguably the most glaring miscue as six different Raptors scored in double-figures, led by Orlando Robinson's 23 points. Here are the Nets player grades following Wednesday's loss to the Raptors:

D'Angelo Russell: D​

Russell returned after missing the past two games with right ankle soreness, but it looked like he may need something to get him going for the rest of the season. Russell did not shoot the ball well in this one and that was despite getting some open shots within the flow of the offense. Russell did a solid job of rebounding the basketball, but he also turned the ball over more than he usually does.

Keon Johnson: D​

Johnson struggled to shoot the ball against the Raptors as he couldn't get anything to fall from three-point land on what were some decent looks for him. Surprisingly, Johnson did not drive to the rim much against a Raptors team playing without Jakob Poeltl, but Brooklyn did not get into the paint as much as they could have as a team, either. To his credit, Johnson did a great job of passing the ball as one of the primary ball-handlers.

Ziaire Williams: C-​

Williams had another solid outing for the Nets despite not being as efficient from three-point range as he has been for the majority of March. Williams struggled shooting the ball overall, but he also made some nice moves to the basket as a way to combat how Toronto was closing out to him. Williams did a good job of rebounding the basketball, but he has had better days on the defensive end of the floor.

Noah Clowney: D​

Clowney had one of his worst games shooting the ball for the Nets during his 2-year career as he couldn't get anything to fall from anywhere on the floor. Until Clowney's shooting gets more consistent, he will have games like this where he is unable to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor if he is not making shots. To be fair, Clowney played well on the defensive end as his length was disruptive throughout this matchup.

Nic Claxton: A​

Claxton may have found something to get him going as he put up one of his best games of the season with the way that he was impacting both ends of the floor. Claxton did a great job of scoring the ball in this one as he was unstoppable at the rim and also scored his points in his variety of ways. Claxton was also a force on the boards and he hosted another block party to show how good he was feeling.

Trendon Watford: B​

Watford had a decent game for the Nets off the bench in a game that amounted to that of a scrimmage with the way that the Raptors ran away with the game seemingly from the beginning. Watford was able to get to the rim at will against a variety of defends and most of his drives involved him having to create for himself with the lack of shooting from Brooklyn in general.

Jalen Wilson: B​

Wilson struggled shooting the ball in this contest as he couldn't get anything to fall mostly due to how aggressive the Raptors were defending on the perimeter, taking the Nets out of anything they wanted to do on the offensive end. Wilson was solid on the boards as he usually is due to how hard he works throughout the game, but that is where his impact ended.

Dariq Whitehead: C-​

Whitehead saw minutes for the Nets for the first time since Mar. 4 and while he had a good start to this game, Whitehead has had better days shooting the ball. Whitehead shot a decent percentage from behind the three-point line, but he did not attempt to drive to the basket to punish Toronto's aggressive style of closing out. Whitehead should see more time for Brooklyn down the stretch of this season.

Maxwell Lewis: D​

Lewis played some extended minutes in this one, but it seems like the hot stretch that he had for a couple of games has worn off at this point. Lewis wasn't able to find his rhythm from anywhere on the floor and now, it looks like he's hesitant on shooting his three-pointer off the catch. Lewis is able to make plays that most players on the team cannot make, but he also has to take care of the basketball if he wants to handle the ball more within the offense.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades: Nic Claxton drops 22 in 116-86 loss to Raptors

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