Nets Hand the Heat First Loss of Playoffs

nydailynews.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 10th, 2014

Miami Heat vs. Brooklyn Nets Game 3 Recap

Final Score: Heat 90 Nets 104

In a must win Game 3 at home for the Brooklyn Nets, they were able to avoid the certain series loss if they fell in Game 3 to the Miami Heat. The victory keeps hope alive for the Nets, as they were able to control the defending champs for most of the game with a barrage of three-pointers.

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

As it has been so many times for the Nets in the postseason thus far, it was Joe Johnson who was the Nets best player. In a well balanced scoring attack for the Nets, Johnson led the team with 19 points on seven for 10 shooting, which included five three-pointers made. Johnson continued to do a good job recognizing when to make the pass, as he had six assists.

Positives:

Brooklyn’s bench played a big factor in the Nets victory, as Mirza Teletovic and Andray Blatche were both in double figures off of the bench. Teletovic was one of the main guys in the Nets three-point barrage, as all of his shot were from behind the arc. He went four for seven from deep for 12 points to go along with six rebounds in 19 minutes. Blatche was a monster for the Nets, as he was able to notch a double-double in just 20 minutes. Blatche finished with 15 points on five for 10 shooting with 10 rebounds in what was his best game by far of the series.

The combination of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were both able to have nice efficient, effective games for the Nets in their supporting roles on Saturday. They were both in double figures, as Pierce finished with 14 points on five for 10 shooting, and Garnett was able to add 10 points on five for six shooting.

On defense the Nets did a much better job stopping Ray Allen, who scored 19 points in Game 1 and then 13 points in Game 2. Game 3 however Allen scored just nine points on two for six shooting and missed his only three-point attempt. Alan Anderson and Allen got into a little skirmish in the second half that resulted in double technicals for both players.

Chris Bosh was also held in check by the Nets, as Miami’s third weapon had a quiet Game 3. Bosh finished with just 12 points on five for 11 shooting with just five rebounds, as it was the worst game of the series so far for Bosh, and the Heat clearly missed his production.

Negatives:

Trying to stop the great duo of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James is going to be a difficult task, but with the their supporting cast have bad games for the most part, the Nets were able to survive good games from Wade and James. Wade finished with 20 points on nine for 18 shooting. James scored 16 points in the first quarter, as it looked early like it was going to be a special game from James. He finished with 28 points on eight for 15 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and five assists.

Next up for the Nets will be Game 4 in Brooklyn on Monday, as Brooklyn will look to even up the series.

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat April 8th, 2014

barclayscenter.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 8th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Brooklyn Nets will be heading down to South Beach trailing the Toronto Raptors by 2.5 games in the Atlantic Division, as when it comes to playoff seeding it is looking more and more likely that the Nets are going to be the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference.

- Sweep

Brooklyn has been very good against the Heat this season, as they are 3-0 facing the defending champions, but with the Heat fighting for the first seed in the Eastern Conference, this maybe the toughest game to beat the Heat. Since the big three of LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade have came together only the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics have defeated the Heat three times in a season, and the Nets will look to be the first to beat the Big 3 four times in a season.

- 25k

Paul Pierce has a very good chance on Tuesday night to reach elite company in NBA history, as he is just 19 points shy of 25,000 career points. Pierce has been a main reason for the Nets great play against the Heat this season, as Pierce is averaging 23.7 points per game on 53.8 percent from the field. Pierce always seems to step up his play when playing against James, so if Pierce has a good game he may help the Nets win a big game in Miami, and join Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and teammate Kevin Garnett as the fourth active player to reach 25,000 points.

- Rest for KG

After returning to the Nets on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers, Garnett will be resting against the Heat. Garnett played good in his return to the Nets after missing 19 straight games, as in 13 minutes he scored 10 points on five for six shooting. With Garnett out again, Mason Plumlee will slide back into the starting lineup after having a good game off the bench in what will be his normal role come playoff time. With the playoffs right around the corner and the Nets seemingly stuck in the 5th seed, it will be interesting to see if Jason Kidd elects to rest some of his players coming into playoff time.

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat March 12th, 2014

barclayscenter.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 12th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat

The Brooklyn Nets will be heading to Miami for the first time this season to play the two-time defending champions the Heat on Wednesday night. The Nets are one of the two teams in the NBA that have beaten the Heat twice this season along with the Chicago Bulls, but both of those victories came at the Barclays Center.

- Atlantic Watch

After what was a huge win for the Nets on Monday night, beating the Atlantic Division leading Toronto Raptors in a very close game, the Nets will have a tough task of staying within three games of them when Wednesday is all said and done. The Heat are one of the best home teams in basketball, as they own a (25-4) record, and the Nets have struggled on the road all season with a (12-19) record, which is not a good recipe for Brooklyn. If they decide to scoreboard watch a bit in this game they will also see the Raptors playing the Detroit Pistons in what should surely be a home win for Toronto, which could put the Nets back into a four-game deficit with a loss in Miami.

Knicks Blown Out By Heat Behind James, Wade

Thursday, February 27^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat

Post Game Recap

The Knicks came into the game with the best winning percentage against the Heat since the start of last season and left with it dropping a little bit. The Knicks were handled rather easily tonight by the two-time defending champs, getting blown out 108-82. It was tough to watch at points if you are a Knicks fan and it reached a low when they actually went away from the game for a bit in the fourth quarter to watch the end of a the triple-overtime thriller between the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors. If the season hadn’t hit a low point yet, having a game switched over to a less than marquee match up like that should do it. The Knicks will be back at it again tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden to take on the Golden State Warriors.

-Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

As it has been too often this season, Anthony looked to be one of the few Knicks to come in and try tonight. Anthony tried once again to put the team on his back tonight but he was unable to do it alone against one of the best teams in the NBA. Tonight Anthony finished with 29 points on 11-20 from the field, including 3-8 from the three point line and 4-6 from the foul line. He also added seven rebounds, two assists and one resounding block of LeBron James. He also had another highlight play with a dunk over James early on in the game. It was another efficient scoring night that has gone to waste as the Knicks got blown out.

-Positives

Knicks Cant Hang With Heat, Ending Four Game Winning Streak

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, February 1^st, 2014

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The Knicks were unable to end their home stand on a high note and continue their strong play against the Miami Saturday night as the Heat handled them rather easily, winning 106-91. After an embarrassing loss at Madison Square Garden three weeks ago the Heat were able to exact some revenge tonight. The Knicks played sloppy, unnerved basketball tonight as the Heat came ready to play. Some of the younger players looked overwhelmed against the two-time defending champion Heat and the veterans were unable to right the ship outside of a few short lived runs. Inconsistent play on both ends of the court eventually doomed the Knicks. On a night that biggest and brightest stars were at the Garden for Super Bowl weekend, the Knicks fell flat and their winning streak ended at four games. They will get back on the court Monday night in Milwaukee against the Bucks.

Player of the Game: J.R. Smith

Howard Simmons/New York Daily News

Smith was tasked with the biggest challenge of the night; slowing down the human freight train LeBron James. Smith tried admirably throughout the game to slow James down but was barely a speed jump for King James, who is two inches taller and listed at least 30 pounds heavier. With Iman Shumpert sidelined Smith drew the toughest defensive assignment. Even thought James was taking it to Smith on the defensive end, Smith was able to hold his own offensively. Smith shot the ball efficiently, going 6-11 from the field (4-7 3pt, 4-8 FT) for 20 points. He added two rebounds and one steal as well, as he played James as well as he possibly could and still delivered offensively even with all of the effort he was putting forth on the defensive end.

-Positive