If you thought Deron Williams, who scored a combined five points in Games 2 and 3 and 18 points overall in the series thus far, would make much of a positive impact in tonight’s Game 4, then you should be spending all of your time in Vegas at the craps tables. How so? Because the Nets’ beaten-down and injured star point guard dropped a personal playoff-high 35 points at Barclays to help Brooklyn even their series with Hawks at two games apiece with a score of 120-115 in overtime.
It was a crazy night from start to finish, with both teams trading decent-sized leads for much of the first three quarters. The Hawks came out on fire from three en route to a 21-14 advantage in the opening frame. However, the Nets answered with a 11-3 run to go up one heading into the second quarter. Deron knocked down three triples in the frame and posted 11 points as he set the tone for his career night.
The Nets continued an extended 18-3 run–similar to their 18-0 spurt in Game 3–into the next quarter as they went up by as much as eight points. But, after a Jarrett Jack jumper, the Hawks scored seven straight to get back in the game and later closed the half out with a run of their own, of the 11-2 variety, to hold a 51-45 lead at the break.
Atlanta looked to run away with a 3-1 series lead in the third, as the Hawks moved the ball extremely to get wide open looks on offense left and right. Even when they missed their shots–it was rare–DeMarre Carroll (20 points and nine rebounds) or Al Horford (17 points and seven rebounds) or Paul Millsap (16 points and 12 rebounds) were there to grab the offensive rebound and extend the possession. The Nets were killed on second chance points–the Hawks had 18 offensive boards–and just watched as they fell down 76-64 at the four-minute mark on a Korver jumper.
But, as both teams did for all 53 minutes, the Nets didn’t wilt away as they got within eight by the end of the quarter–thanks to a strong Alan Anderson drive before the buzzer–and used five quick Deron points to start the fourth to cut their deficit to a single possession.
Brooklyn would take the lead a few minutes later in the midst of a 7-0 D-Will spurt and held it until the 2:17 mark, when Jeff Teague drove for an easy layup that put Atlanta ahead 101-99. Deron had another three in him, though, as baskets were exchanged until the last 16 seconds, when the game was tied at 104.
For the win, the Nets gave the ball to D-Will, who–for some reason–took a short jumper with six ticks to go that rimmed out and gave the Hawks a chance to win. However, Millsap never got a shot off, sending the game to overtime.
Atlanta controlled the first three-and-a-half minutes of the extra period before a Bojan Bogdanovic three–his third of the game–with 84 seconds left, off a nifty Brook Lopez pass, gave Brooklyn a 114-113 advantage it wouldn’t relinquish. On the other end, Jeff Teague missed an ill-advised three–rebounded by Deron Williams–which was followed by a Thad Young lay-in that sealed the monumental victory.
Korver, who had nothing going on all night, missed three three-pointers, sandwiching a pair of Hawks’ offensive rebounds, which could have evened up the score. Brooklyn collected the board, Deron and Joe Johnson knocked down their requisite free throws and the win was had. What a game for a team that really needed it.
Assorted thoughts: Deron Williams has been mocked, criticized and derided–rightly so–for his play as a Net, especially during his weak playoff performances with Brooklyn. He scored just five points in Games 2 and 3–that’s a combined five points–and needed his coach and a few teammates to stick up for him in the press over the past few days. Tonight, he responded and did so in a big way, leading his team to a crazy win that knotted up the series with the No. 1 Hawks at two as it goes back to Phillips Arena. He got started early with 11 first quarter points and was solid all game, scoring his 35 on 13-25 shooting (7-11 from three) to go with five boards, seven assists and three steals. Yes, he only committed two turnovers. Finally, he was the dominant Deron that the Nets traded for years ago. I know, it’s only one game, but if this can keep up, the Hawks need to watch out….It wasn’t just Deron that stepped up tonight, though. Brook Lopez posted another double-double with 26 points and 10 boards (oh, and five blocks with one turnover). It was a somewhat quiet 26 for Brook, who hit his usual array of in-the-post pushers, long jumpers, layups and even a hook or two. He also created a bunch of new possessions with tip-outs and his general enormous size and strength. The Hawks have absolutely no one big enough to stick with him….Joe (5-16 from the field) didn’t shoot particularly well, but he knocked down some big jumpers late and grabbed seven boards. He still isn’t as on point as Lionel Hollins would like but he got the job done when necessary. A little too much iso-Joe at times, though….Thad Young (10 points and seven rebounds) and Bojan (15 and six) contributed nicely to. Thad made a few of his trademarked prayers/floaters/hook shots, including the game-clinching one at the end of the overtime. He also played decent defense at times but had trouble getting out to the perimeter to defend Millsap and DeMarre Carroll. Bojan, on the other hand, made vital triples (3-6 from deep) when the Hawks simply forgot about him. He’s a big reason the Nets shot over 45 percent from three (14-31)….Hollins only used eight players tonight, eschewing Markel Brown for the second consecutive game and Mirza Teletovic, with only Alan Anderson (11 points and a +15 rating) making a marked statistical impact. Jarrett Jack actually played well despite his 2-7 shooting line with a couple of steals and solid passing. Again, Anderson made some big threes and helped out in the Nets’ defense of Korver, who was 4-13 from three. Gameplan executed perfectly.
Onto the next one: The series, all tied up, heads back to Atlanta on Wednesday for Game 5.
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