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| The Nets probably wouldn't have won this game without Mirza Teletovic's 16 points |
The Brooklyn Nets may still only be 13-21 and outside of the Eastern Conference's playoff picture, but they are playing their best basketball of the year right now. In a tight affair, without Deron Williams due to another sprained ankle, Brooklyn was able to fend off a pesky Atlanta Hawks team for a third-straight win overall. The Nets are still undefeated in 2014 (3-0) and are looking better and better every game, and have held their opponent to less than 90 points in their last two games.
Bucking the usual trend that has received too many words in losing game recaps on this site, the Nets–after a shaky first half which the Hawks ended on a 11-0 run–won the third quarter going away, establishing a lead that would precariously be held throughout fourth quarter. Mirza Teletovic–who hit four threes on the game and scored 16 points–was a huge factor in the building of that lead, as he hit three long-balls in a two-minute span late in the third.
Mirza also hit an enormous dagger three towards the end of regulation that iced away the win for the Nets, giving them a five-point advantage with just 44 seconds remaining. Joe Johnson–game-high 23 points on 10-for-22 shooting–took over in the final frame, hitting his only three of the game, some of his signature lane-floaters, and the finalizing two free throws at the very end. Deron Williams may not have played in this one, but Jason Kidd didn't have trouble finding other leaders on his team.
Some other observations I had from the game: No Mason Plumlee, and there hasn't been in a few games. Brooklyn's rookie forward hasn't played in the Nets' last two games after seeing some time in the Oklahoma City and San Antonio matchups. Looks like Reggie Evans (six boards in 12 minutes) and Mirza have pushed him out of the rotation, at least for now…..Kevin Garnett, coming off a rest game, didn't score much but was great on the glass, nabbing a game-high 10 rebounds and playing some great defense. Paul Pierce (nine points), Shaun Livingston (12 points, five boards), and Alan Anderson (14 points, five boards) rounded out the starting lineup well, as they all contributed to Brooklyn's vast-improved defensive effort against a decent offensive team in the Hawks. Atlanta was held to under 40 percent shooting as normal high-scorers Lou Williams (1-for-6), Paul Millsap (4-for-12), and Jeff Teague (5-for-15) were held to abnormally-low shooting percentages.
Looking Ahead
The Nets look to continue their undefeated run in 2014 on Wednesday night against the explosive Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center.
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