At this point, the Nets need any win they can possibly get, even if they blow a massive second half–and fourth quarter–which is exactly what they did tonight in Sacramento as they barely beat a Kings team they dominated for the game’s first 24 minutes.
The Nets came out firing, hitting their first six shots from the field to build a 16-10 lead in just over four minutes that they would hold for the rest of the game, although Brooklyn’s control of said lead was tenuous at points. They were able to continue this offensive efficiency–thanks, ball movement–for the whole frame and much of the half, as they led by as much as 23 points (60-37) in the first half.
For those 24 minutes, Brooklyn did not look like a team that had lose eight of its previous nine games. Brook Lopez, still coming off the bench, was unstoppable at the rim on both offense and defense, scoring 13 points in the half as well as blocking five shots. He looked athletic and active, as he continues his surprising improvement since the serious trade rumors he was involved in a week ago. Bojan Bogdanovic was also effective early on, as he scored all 10 of his points in the first quarter.
That gosh darn second half, though. After a third quarter in which they stagnated at times and looked like a complacent team up by a lot of points, the Nets only gave up a little ground but started to really falter–is this surprising?–in the fourth quarter.
Up 13 heading into the final frame, the Nets used quick free throws and a Darius Morris driving layup to increase the lead to 86-69. But then, things started to fall apart. Sacramento went on a 16-5 run that cut the Kings’ deficit to six before a trio of Alan Anderson free throws gave some momentum back to Brooklyn.
The Nets were far from out of the woods, though, as the Kings then rolled off a 9-2 run off some incredible Rudy Gay and DeMarcus Cousins offense to get within 96-94. At that point, it appeared as if the Nets were on their way to blowing yet another huge second half lead–remind anyone of the Suns game from earlier this season?–but Joe Johnson decided to show up.
Joe only had 10 points before the final minute or so of the game but, with 1:10 left to play, he hit a huge contested three with defenders draped all over him to give the Nets some more breathing room. After some Cousins free throw, Bojan missed a three and Joe was there for the rebound. He got fouled and made both free throws to put Brooklyn back up 101-96.
Those points would prove to be enough as the Kings, after a Cousins dunk, weren’t able to score again as the Nets salted this one away at the line. Thankfully, for them, Sacramento wasn’t able to execute better down the stretch or we would be talking about one of the road team’s worst losses of the season in a year filled with bad ones.
Assorted thoughts: Where was Mason Plumlee in the second half? The Nets’ young star big man was committed his fourth foul early in the second half, so him not playing much in the third quarter is understandable. But him to not get any fourth quarter time and just 11 minutes overall? I don’t get it at all. He played well in his little playing time tonight, making all three of his field goals and running the floor very well. I think his absence was a big reason for Brooklyn’s huge second half swoon….Was good to see Brook be dominant again, scoring 22 points on 15 shots along with six total rebounds and six blocks. He was solid on both ends of the floor and made a huge difference….Nets still miss Deron Williams so, so much. Jarrett Jack was good again (16 points, eight assists and four boards) but he committed four turnovers and cannot play 48 minutes a game. When he needs a break, Darius Morris goes in. Morris was okay in 13 minutes today, scoring seven points in his limited time but once again showed that he isn’t capable of running the offense smoothly for a long period of time….Markel Brown got some surprising second quarter minutes and he made a three before taking and missing some ill-advised, contested and forced shots. Finally he got a chance to play and at least he showed something positive before fading away….Overall, good win and great play for 36 minutes, But, often, the last 12 minutes do the Nets in and tonight was almost the same.
Onto the next one: Thursday night in Los Angeles against the Clippers/Rivers family
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