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D-Will stepped it up again tonight, scoring a team-high 23 points and being the only Nets starter in double-digits points |
Well, it wasn't pretty, was probably lucky, but definitely a win. For the second time in as many nights (home-and-home!!), the Nets beat the Milwaukee Bucks by a very slim margin to turn their 13-game losing streak vs Milwaukee to a two-game winning streak. The first half was pretty ugly by Nets standards, as the Bucks were hot from the opening tip, jumping out to a 23-11 lead late in the first quarter after an Ersan Ilyasova three-pointer. Brooklyn would be able to make up a little ground before the end of the first 12 minutes but still found themselves down by eight after the first.
The second quarter wasn't much better, at least after a mid-quarter spurt by the bench cut the deficit to four points. Then, back-to-back Beno Udrih and Larry Sanders baskets brought the Bucks' advantage back up to eight points from which point they would increase it to 12 points (54-42) by half. By that time in the game, it wasn't looking too bright for the Nets who clearly didn't play with the intensity they had last night back in Brooklyn.
For roughly the first half of the third quarter (and 2nd half), the game played out like much of the first two quarters did, until one of D-Will's three-pointers brought the Nets within nine points. After, a C.J. Watson lay-in and Gerald Wallace dunk (off a sick pass from Deron), it was down to five, momentum was moving in the Nets favor. Milwaukee had a problem with this change as they turned on the jets at that point, abusing Brooklyn from both beyond-the-arc and in the paint to have the lead balloon to 12 before an Andray Blatche jumper narrowed it to eight at the end of the period.
Now, the fourth quarter was a complete departure from any other part of the game. It was all Nets, from start to finish. Brooklyn jumped out to a 9-0 run right off the bat, taking a three-point lead that would remain its own for the remainder of the quarter and game, extending it all the way to 11 points late in the period before Milwaukee had its own 9-0 run to make it a two-point game. But no trouble, said C.J. Watson, who promptly drove to the hoop for a lay-up, giving the Nets some breathing room, room they would need after a Brandon Jennings lay-up of his own and a stupid D-Will foul put Monta Ellis at the free-throw line for three attempts (he missed all three). After all the craziness, the Nets wound up on top, exactly where they wanted to be. Another close game, another great win.
Some other observations I had from the game: Once again no Brook Lopez in the fourth quarter. For the second-straight night. Granted, Andray Blatche was playing well again but Lopez is an All-Star. I wonder if P.J. will do the same thing on Friday vs Houston……Game ball #1: Deron Williams. Scored a team-high 23 on 7-16 shooting (3-7 from three, 6-7 from the line) and also dished out eight assists while only committing one turnover. Looked noticeably more confident with his shot than last night and played with more intensity, emotion, and initiative, as he clearly tried to make something happen instead of wait for something to happen to him. Had that extra hop in his step……Game ball #2: C.J. Watson. Once again anchored the bench and hit shots everywhere (17 points in 29 mins, 7-11 shooting, 3-4 from three), establishing himself as straight-on deadly from the corner spot. Also had six assists and nabbed three steals. Like D-Will, did it all……Game ball #3: Andray Blatche. Also had a great game like he did yesterday, using his famous (infamous) up-fakes everywhere and anytime to get himself open. Continued his stunning propensity for three-point plays. Collected 12 boards…..Awful games from both Brook and Joe (6-27 shooting). Can't be perfect every night…..Keith and MarShon hit some huge shots down the stretch, added some great production in limited playing time minutes off the bench.
Looking Ahead
The Nets head home to face off with the Houston Rockets, who beat the Thunder and also traded for Thomas Robinson of the Kings tonight, on Friday night at the Barclays Center.
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