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| Keith Bogans got the surprise start today, and didn't disappoint |
The three-game winning streak has officially been broken as the Nets were able to stave off the fiesty Philadelphia 76ers at the Barclays Center this afternoon. Holding onto a seven-point lead established in the first quarter for much of the game, Brooklyn overcame some poor foul shooting down the stretch to improve to two games above .500.
It was a pretty good all-around effort from a desperate Nets team that needed a win as bad as ever. It didn't look great early on, as Philadelphia raced out to a quick 12-4 advantage out of the gates. Then, stunningly, the Nets went on to score the game's next 18 points, and used that 18-0 run to gain a 10-point lead. All of the unsure feelings the first half of the first quarter produced melted away as Brooklyn snatched control of the game and put the 76ers up against the ropes, so to speak. They were able to maintain a seven-point cushion after 12 minutes just to watch much of it wash away in the second quarter, leaving them up just two points at half.
The third quarter, normally the bane of the Nets existence, was actually good for them earlier today as they extended their narrow lead to five points, aided by a pair of consecutive Joe Johnson long-long-range three-pointers to finish off the quarter, with the second one beating the buzzer.
The fourth quarter didn't get off to the most auspicious start for the Nets, as the 76ers immediately tied up the game with a quarter-opening 5-0 run. That evened up the score at 69 apiece, a score which would soon swing in the Nets' favor for good. After a Gerald free throw and a wide open Jerry Stackhouse dunk off a broken play regrew the Brooklyn lead to three points, the Nets and the 76ers embarked on a nine-minute basket exchange program which kept the game close (max lead of eight for the Nets) but always in the lead of the home team. And that's how that game would end.
Some other observations I had from the game: No Kris Humphries or MarShon Brooks at all. Maybe Avery liked the matchups with Philly without them on the floor or maybe they're officially in his doghouse. We'll have to see if they play on Tuesday to find out the answer to that question…..Joe Johnson was really, really good. He scored 22 points on 17 shots, grabbed seven boards, and was a major reason why jason Richardson was held to just 2-10 shooting…..Keith Bogans was really good too, making the most of his surprise start. He scored 13 points in 35 minutes, played solid man defense, and hit 5 of his 6 shots (3 of 4 from three). Nearly a perfect performance…..D-Will played well, scoring 16 points on 11 shots and managing a +8 in his 38 minutes. Seemed a little passive and resistant to shoot but led the Nets offense well against a pesky and quick team in the 76ers that wreck havoc in the defensive backcourt….Just 11 minutes for Reggie Evans, another fact which befuddles me.
Looking Ahead
Christmas Day, in Brooklyn, at noon, against the Celtics. Doesn't get much better.
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