Nets Narrowly Defeat Raptors in Game 7

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

May 4^th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors Game 7 Recap

Final Score: Nets 104 Raptors 103

In a win or go home Game 7 in a hostile arena in Toronto, the Brooklyn Nets were able to survive the young Raptors for a thrilling Game 7 victory on Sunday. A few missed free throws at the end of the game for the Nets nearly cost them, but a block by Paul Pierce on Kyle Lowry sealed the deal for the Nets, as the advanced to the next round.

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

Easily the best player for the Nets throughout the entire series was Joe Johnson, and Game 7 was no different. Johnson finished with a team-high 26 points on 11 for 25 shooting, with four rebounds, and four assists. The Raptors threw the kitchen sink at Johnson with multiple defenders guarding him and frequent double-teams, but Johnson made the right pass out almost every time, as he could have a lot of hockey assists.

Positives:

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were in different roles in this Game 7 than previous seasons. They both only played 25 minutes, but it was an effective one from both of them. Pierce finished with 10 points on four for 10 shooting, but made the play of the game for the Nets blocking Lowry's shot in the final seconds. Garnett had a very good game, as he was able to notch a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, as it was his first double-double since February 1^st.

Knicks Defeat Nets, Win Season Series 3-1

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, April 15^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets

Post Game Recap

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets finished up their disappointing season series Tuesday night, as the Knicks defeated the Nets 109-98. It was the third win in the series for the Knicks, who defeated the Nets by 30 and 29 points earlier in the season, while the Nets lone victory came by 23. There was plenty of players not suiting up tonight, and veterans who did played very little as both teams had nothing to really play for. The play resulted in a game that looked more like a preseason game than a regular season meeting. Both teams will be playing their regular season finales Wednesday night, as the Knicks will take on the Toronto Raptors, and the Nets will be going against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks Perspective:

Nets Complete Season Sweep of Miami Heat

washingtonpost.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

April 8th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat Post Game Recap

Final Score: Nets 88 Heat 87

The Brooklyn Nets were able to complete the season sweep of the Miami Heat, as with the victory on Tuesday night; the Nets have beaten the defending champions four times this season. The win moves the Nets to within two games of the Toronto Raptors for the Atlantic division’s top spot with five games left for each team.




Player of the Game: Marcus Thornton

For the Nets on Tuesday, it was one of their main bench players that stood out against the Heat, as Marcus Thornton in his 28 minutes of play made a big impact for Brooklyn. Thornton finished with 16 points on six for eight shooting, which included him going four for five from behind the arc. He also added six rebounds, and a game-high four steals to high the highest plus/minus of any player, going +8.

Positives:

Kevin Garnett was given the day off against Miami, which led to Mason Plumlee being moved back into the starting lineup, and late in the game he made the play that gave the Nets the win. In the final seconds with LeBron James looking for a game-winning dunk, Plumlee stepped in and made the play to stop James with a huge block that sent James into a frantic outburst looking for a foul. Besides the game-saving block, Plumlee led the Nets in rebounds with eight, and added eight points on four for six shooting with three blocks and one steal.

Scoring wise, Joe Johnson was the main gun for the Nets on Tuesday, as he scored a team-high 19 points on nine of 17 shooting from the field. Paul Pierce was the only other Nets starter in double figures, as he finished with 14 points on five for eight shooting. Pierce will be heading into Orlando five points shy of reaching 25,000 career points, which he will almost certainly reach on Wednesday. Coming off the bench besides the big game from Thornton, it was Mirza Teletovic who helped the bench scoring in the absence of Andray Blatche, as he scored 11 points on four for eight shooting.

The Heat were without Dwyane Wade, but still have another great player besides James in Chris Bosh, and the Nets did a very good job containing him. Bosh had a tough game scoring only 12 points on a poor five for 13 shooting day from the field, and for going against the small lineups of Brooklyn, Bosh only grabbed six rebounds.

Negatives:

Although James had his attempted game-winner stopped by Plumlee, he was very good during the game. James scored a game-high 29 points on nine for 16 from the field and 11 for 14 from the free throw line. When facing James, he does a lot more than just score, as grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, and dished out six assists in the losing effort.

Next up for the Nets will be the second half of a back to back against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Charlotte Bobcats March 26th, 2014

nba.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 26th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Bobcats

Pre Game News and Notes

The Brooklyn Nets after two straight overtime games will be heading to Charlotte to play against an Eastern Conference playoff hopeful in the Bobcats. The Nets are just 1.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division, and the Raptors will also be playing on Wednesday against the Celtics.

Match-Up of the Game: Al Jefferson vs. Mason Plumlee

In the last two games the Nets have been roughed up on the inside by opposing team’s big men, and on Wednesday they will be going against one of the best Centers the NBA has in Al Jefferson. Jefferson has come on in his first season with the Bobcats, as he is averaging 21.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. After the games that Samuel Dalembert and Anthony Davis put up the last two games, it seems that the Nets will have their hands full yet again against Jefferson, as it will be a tough night for Plumlee. Plumlee has been doing well filling in for Garnett, as in March he is averaging 7.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, but he is undersized and inexperienced to be asked to stop Jefferson.

- Really Banged Up

On the final game of their three-game road trip the Nets are all of a sudden very banged up with injuries, as yet again Kevin Garnett will be out with back spasms, and yet again Andrei Kirilenko will be out with a sprained ankle. In the loss to the Pelicans, Marcus Thornton was forced to leave the game early with a back injury, and didn’t seem overly optimistic that he would be able to play on Wednesday, but is listed as a game-time decision. On top of all the injuries, Deron Williams is also listed as a game-time decision, as he is battling an illness, which if he can’t go the Nets may find themselves very short-handed.

- Season Series

So far this season the Nets are up (2-1) in the season series against the Bobcats, and Wednesday gives the chance for the Nets to win a season series against a possible Eastern Conference playoff team. The Nets have won both games at home against the Bobcats, but in November were defeated in Charlotte 95-91. In that loss it was a very different looking Nets team, but with all the injuries and the uncertainty of Williams playing, the Nets will be in for a tough game against a hungry Bobcats team.

Nets Pull Off Overtime Victory in Dallas

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 23rd, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs. Dallas Mavericks Post Game Recap

Final Score: Nets 107 Mavericks 104

The Brooklyn Nets were able to turn their momentum that they have been riding at the Barclays Center into a huge road win against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night. The overtime win has given the Nets a (37-31) record on the season, but with the Toronto Raptors coming back to beat the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday afternoon they are still 1.5 games behind them in the Atlantic Division.

Player of the Game: Marcus Thornton

Coming off the bench for the Nets was the difference maker in the comeback victory; as Marcus Thornton continues to make the trade that Billy King did at the trade deadline a great one for the Nets. Thornton didn’t lead the Nets in scoring, but was their most efficient scorer in 24 minutes of play, as he scored 20 points on seven for 11 shooting, which included him going four of seven from behind the three-point line. Thornton also did a great job helping out on the glass, as he tied for the team-lead in rebounds for the game with seven.

Positives:

Scoring was a real struggle for the Nets on Sunday in the win, especially in the starting lineup, but Joe Johnson was able to come through with a good game shooting from the field. Johnson led the Nets with 22 points on eight for 16 shooting in 37 minutes of play. Johnson came up big in the clutch for the Nets, as he had the game tying lay-up with less than 10 seconds to go, and then in overtime scored six of his 22 points to help lock up the win.

On defense the Nets really stepped up against one of the better offensive teams the NBA has to offer, which included them really shutting down the future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki was held to easily one of his worst games of the season, as he scored just 10 points on a surprisingly bad two for 12 shooting. Nowitzki wasn’t alone in the Mavericks shooting woes, as their bench really struggled as well. Two former Nets in Devin Harris and Vince Carter both shot the ball poorly against their former team off the bench. Harris went four of 15 from the field with just 11 points, and Carter shot four of 13 from the field with 12 points.

Negatives:

The Nets small lineup was noticeable against the Mavericks with their two starting seven footers in Nowitzki and Samuel Dalembert, as Dalembert was able to produce a big double-double and was a major factor on the defensive end. He finished with 12 points on four for five shooting to go along with 15 rebounds and seven blocked shots. This was defiantly a game where the Kevin Garnett injury hurt the Nets, and why they need him back.

Shooting Guard Monta Ellis was the main gun for the Mavericks on Sunday night with basically everyone else on the team struggling. Ellis finished with a game-high 31 points on 11 for 24 shooting. In overtime Ellis hit two three-pointers, which along with some Nets missed free throws gave Ellis a chance to tie it u if he was able to make three straight, but he couldn’t pull off buzzer beater.

Next up for the Nets will be the second half of a back to back against the red hot Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Nets Get Back to Over .500 Against Kings

espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 9^th, 2014

Sacramento Kings vs Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Kings 89 Nets 104

The Brooklyn Nets were able to bounce back on Sunday night against the Kings after a tough loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The Nets victory on Sunday put them back over .500 at (31-30), which makes them four games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division.

Player of the Game: Marcus Thornton

The main player involved in the trade between the Nets and Kings before the deadline was Marcus Thornton, and on Sunday night he torched his former team. Thornton scored a team-high 27 points on 11 for 15 shooting, which included him shooting five of eight from three-point range after a tough shooting game in Boston. Thornton also had the highest +/- of any player going +22, as he was instant offense of the bench for Brooklyn.

Nets Shooting Woes Cost Them in Boston

scores.espn.go.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 7^th, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs Boston Celtics Post Game Recap

Final Score: Nets 84 Celtics 91

The Brooklyn Nets were unable to stay above the .500 mark on Friday night, as they were defeated by the Boston Celtics. The loss moves the Nets to (30-30) on the season, and they now trail the Toronto Raptors by four games in the Atlantic Division.

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

Shooting Guard Joe Johnson was questionable to play on Friday with an illness, but was able to play, and along with Deron Williams was good for Brooklyn. Johnson finished with a game-high 21 points on nine for 21 shooting. He also grabbed seven rebounds, which was a quarter of the Nets total rebounds as the Celtics dominated the glass, holding the Nets to just 28 as a team. It was the third straight good game from Johnson, which is important for the Nets heading into the stretch run.

Nets Reach Above .500 For First Time This Season

nytimes.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 5th, 2014

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Brooklyn Nets Post Game Recap

Final Score: Grizzlies 94 Nets 103

For the first time in the 2013-2014 season, the Brooklyn Nets are now an above .500 team after their victory on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. The win moves the Nets to (30-29) on the season, and they now sit three games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division. 

Player of the Game: Joe Johnson

Brooklyn got a nice game from Joe Johnson, who when he plays well for the Nets they win. In the victory Johnson scored a game-high 21 points on eight for 13 shooting, which included him going five of seven from three-point range. He also added four assists, and had the highest +/- in the game going a monstrous +30. Two straight good games of scoring for Johnson against two very good teams in the Chicago Bulls and Grizzlies both resulted in impressive Nets victories.

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Portland Trail Blazers February 26th, 2014

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By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

February 26^th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Portland Trail Blazers

The Brooklyn Nets will be continuing their circus road-trip on Wednesday night in Portland against the Trail Blazers. The Nets are now (26-28) on the season, as they are getting close to the .500 mark, but with the Raptors winning seven of their last 10 games, it leaves the Nets 4.5 games behind them in the Atlantic Division.

- Down A Star

On Wednesday night the Trail Blazers will yet again be without their All-Star Power Forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has missed the last four games with a groin strain. In the four games without Aldridge in this stretch the Blazers are still playing well going 3-1 with their only loss coming against the San Antonio Spurs. The Blazers are obviously missing Aldridge, who has emereged as one of the best if not the best Power Forward in the NBA this season, as he is averaging 23.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, and one block per game.

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors, February 22nd, 2014

barclayscenter.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

February 22^th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets will be facing quite possibly their toughest game of the circus road-trip on Saturday in Golden State against the Warriors. Brooklyn is currently 3.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for the Atlantic Division, and would love to be able to get a big win on Saturday.

- Awaiting a Debut

Only one move was made before Thursdays Trade Deadline for the Nets, as they agreed to trade Reggie Evans and Jason Terry to Sacramento for Marcus Thornton. The trade wasn’t made official until Saturday afternoon, as Terry getting a physical was holding it up. Terry will however not be joining the Kings, as he will be out for the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury, but this will allow Evans and Thornton to both be eligible to play on Saturday. Thornton however is battling a stomach bug so he is listed as a game-time decision for the match-up against the Warriors. Thornton has had a disappointing last two seasons, but has scored over 18 points per game twice in his career, as Brooklyn will hope that he can thrive off their bench.

Nets Blown Out by Kings

By Ryan McDonald(@RonnieMac90)

Wednesday, November 13^th 2013

Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings

The Brooklyn Nets opened up their west coast road trip with a 86-107 loss to the Sacramento Kings. This snapped the Kings 5 game losing streak.

Brook Lopez was the high man for the Nets with 16 points. Deron Williams and Shaun Livingston were next at 13 a piece.

The Kings won in spite of DeMarcus Cousins being in foul trouble the entire game; playing only 22 minutes total. Cousins still managed to score 15 points and grab 9 rebounds. Greivis Vasquez had his best game as a King against the Nets, scoring 17 and had 12 assists. Marcus Thornton came off the bench for the first time this season for the Kings and put in 24 points.