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.

Knicks Comeback Falls Short in Memphis

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Tuesday, February 18^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies

Post Game Recap

The Knicks started the second half of the NBA season much like they played throughout the first half; underwhelming with a heart breaking loss at the end. The Knicks had a poor first half against a strong Grizzlies’ defense but they were able to pick it up in the third quarter to make it a tie game going into the fourth. The Knicks picked up momentum and looked to be in control of the game but mental lapses swing the advantage back to the Grizzlies, who took advantage and came away with the win. The Knicks did everything they needed to do to win the game tonight and still came away with a loss. They are now 13 games under .500 and falling further and further behind in the playoff race. Is help on its way? The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 PM ET and the Knicks are apart of plenty of rumors. They will be back at it tomorrow night in New Orleans to take on the Pelicans a in the second game of their four game in five nights trip.

Player of the Game: Tim Hardaway Jr.

Justin Ford/USA TODAY Sports

The rookie put on a show during All-Star weekend during the BBVA Rising Star challenge and carried it into tonight’s game. Hardaway Jr. was the only Knick with a knack from long range, knocking down four of the six Knicks makes from the three point line. He finished with a team high 23 points on 7-15 shooting overall, scoring 14 of those points in the fourth quarter as the Knicks attempted to take over the game. The same story rang true tonight that has throughout the season though as Hardaway Jr. did not help anywhere else in the game outside of scoring, showing that the rookie still has a little ways to go before being a player the Knicks can count on night in and night out.

-Positives

Knicks Fall To Grizzlies Courtesy of Another Slow Start

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Memphis Grizzlies vs. New York Knicks

Post Game Recap

The poor play in weekend matinees continued for the Knicks Saturday as they fell to the Grizzlies 93-87. The Grizzlies, battling injuries and entered on a five-game losing streak, controlled the game from the start and thoroughly embarrassed the Knicks on their home court. Head coach Mike Woodson held the team to a curfew last night in a hotel room and the Knicks still came out with no effort. Too often during the game the Knicks looked listless and without any passion, not resembling a team that cares very much. It was too little too late for the Knicks as they didn’t get up until they fell down, trailing by as many as 19 points before putting together a late run. It was an embarrassing performance for a Knicks team that cannot afford any more letdowns with how poorly they started the season.

Player of the Game: JR Smith

Smith put together his best game of the season thus far. He scored 16 points on his best shooting performance of the year, going 6-12 overall (2-3 3pt, 2-2 FT). Smith was also asked to run the point guard position for the Knicks as Woodson decided against using a traditional point guard and Smith responded with delivering a team high seven assists. He also added four rebounds and an impressive four steals; he only turned the ball over twice as well. The Knicks desperately need Smith to start looking more like the reigning Sixth Man of the Year if they are to turn things around this season and today he looked more like it.

-Positives