After a thrilled win over the Clippers and rout of the Raptors, maybe you’d think the Nets would have an easy time with the lowly Knicks, who have won just one-fifth of their games this season. If you thought that, you’d be wrong.
Early on, Brooklyn controlled play completely, winning the first quarter 29-21 and going on a 11-2 run to start the second, building a game-high 40-23 advantage. At that point, it seemed as if the Nets were set to coast to their third-straight win and second consecutive home victory. However, the 10-40 Knicks had another plan in mind. They responded with a quick run of their own to get within four points before the Nets closed out the first half up eight.
New York kept fighting back after the break, outscoring Brooklyn 25-15 in the third quarter and actually taking the lead for the first time all night on a Brooklyn native Lance Thomas jumper with 2:56 left. As usual when the Nets play poorly, the offense stagnated and ball movement was nonexistent. It also didn’t help that they kept turning the ball over (14 as a team leading to 18 Knicks’ points).
The final quarter was a back-and-forth affair until a 4:59-long Knicks scoring drought allowed Brooklyn to score eight unanswered points to grab the lead for good. At the 9:38 mark, New York was up 75-73 but with just 4:39 left in regulation, Brooklyn was winning 81-75 on a pair of Bojan Bogdanovic baskets and jumpers fro Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack.
The Knicks continued to get timely buckets as well as free throws here and there–from Langston Galloway, Carmelo Anthony and Jason Smith–but every time they did, the Nets responded and with 13 seconds left, and his team up one, Jarrett Jack sealed the deal.
Joe Johnson was doubled by a pair of Knick defenders, leaving Jack open from beyond the arc on the wing. A sub-25 percent shooter from three this season, the wide open Jack calmly drilled the triple–after making a big pair of free throws moments earlier–to put the game out of doubt, about two quarters later than the Nets would have liked.
Assorted thoughts: Classic case of a trap game barely averted by the better team. Once jumping out to their big early lead, the Nets laid back, allowing the Knicks to swoop in and nearly steal a win. However, thanks to timely offense from Jack and Joe, Brooklyn triumphed and continues its good momentum….What else is there to say about Jarrett Jack? Dude has been incredible for the Nets since being thrust into a starting role and was great again on Friday. He scored 20 points on just 12 shots, hit the game-sealing shot and dished out eight assists. Sure, he committed four turnovers but when you’re carrying an offense for 42 minutes like he did, you’re going to make mistakes here and there. Oh, and that’s six or more assists in each of his last six games and 20 or more points in three of the last four….Brook Lopez also had his way on offense, posting 22 points on efficient 11-18 shooting. He also grabbed nine rebounds (!) and blocked six shots (!!!!). Brook faded a little late in the game so the excitement over his performance is dampened which shouldn’t take away from how good he was in the first half….Kevin Garnett also played really well in his 22 minutes, almost compiling a double-double (12 points and nine rebounds). His play seems to vary from game-to-game but he was moving really well tonight on both offense and defense and hit some big shots when needed. He outplayed Mason Plumlee, who was largely ineffective in his 17 minutes. Also, Cory Jefferson–who got a lot of second quarter time in Toronto–wasn’t used by Lionel Hollins, even with Plumlee’s limited time. Interesting to see if the rookie is a part of the rotation going forward….Joe wasn’t a big factor on offense but he managed to score 13 points, collect 10 boards and hit an enormous three in the fourth quarter. Even when he doesn’t have big games, Joe always manages to make some sort of positive impact. That’s what stars do….Not a good showing from Bogdanovic and Deron Williams. The pair combined to go 4-15 from the field and score just 13 points. Brooklyn was able to withstand the poor play but they need to step up going forward….Nets’ shooting slashline: 50/27/68. Won’t be able to beat good team shooting less than 30 percent from three and 70 percent from the free throw line. Thankfully, the Knicks aren’t a good team.
Onto the next one: Tomorrow night in our nation’s capital against the Wizards
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
