Resiliency perseveres in overtime as Dinwiddie powers Nets over Pistons

B+

Final: 10/31/2018

W 120 119

Live by the three, die by the three. 

That’s the way Spencer Dinwiddie lives, and the way the Nets came back from a 10-point deficit and a steady hole throughout the second half to reach overtime. 

That’s the way Joe Harris lives, who made a three first-thing in overtime after Brooklyn struggled from distance all night.

That’s the way Blake Griffin lives, who made four threes on the night, including the one that put Detroit up three with 1:27 left in overtime.

That’s how Jared Dudley lives, who made his first three of the night out of six attempts to tie the game up again with a minute to go.

And that’s how Dinwiddie lives again, especially in overtime, who knocked down a pull-up three to put the Nets ahead by one with seven seconds left and held on for the victory.

What a way to make up for the mistakes throughout the game that seemed to have the Nets buried on this Halloween night. 

Dinwiddie was Mr. Crunch Time, putting up 17 points throughout the fourth quarter and overtime, but it took him some work to get there. Brooklyn’s bench unit had struggles throughout the game in holding up the team’s early 15-point lead and making advances throughout the game.

Bench players had to step up due to the foul trouble Brooklyn’s big men endured, with Jarrett Allen eventually fouling out in the fourth quarter and sitting out of overtime. Andre Drummond (24 points, 23 rebounds) was difficult for the Nets to handle during that time, making his way to the line and grabbing 10 offensive rebounds. Detroit went on a 21-3 run behind Drummond and Griffin in the first half that gave the team its first lead. 

But the Nets did just enough to keep up with the Pistons and make a move in the fourth quarter. 

Brooklyn nearly blew a golden chance the team had with over a minute to go in the fourth quarter. The Nets had four chances at a shot to give them a lead — all taken from three — and missed them all. Jarrett was instrumental in getting those offensive rebounds that seemed to go to waste until Dinwiddie made his big shot to force overtime. 

Dinwiddie took D’Angelo Russell’s place in the lineup as he was struggling offensively and Dinwiddie has the clutch gene in him, especially against Detroit.

Dinwiddie wants the ball and the spotlight in the big moments. And tonight he ran with it as he drained the game-winning shot over Drummond, who following the game tore his jersey in half (check it out in the video below). 

With Dinwiddie’s help, the Nets ended up shooting 12-of-38 from three, which could have been much worse if not for the game-saving threes in overtime. Neither team shot well from distance all game, but it was those shots that ended up defining the game. 

For a team that has struggled on a three-game skid, this was one much-needed win. The ball moved well when the team did, recording 26 assists on 43 field goals. Brooklyn is at its best when the ball is put in motion. 

Good teams find a way, and while the Pistons may have been tired on the second half of a back-to-back, Brooklyn found a way. 

Close moments galore. Inconsistent play throughout quarters. Blown opportunities. Bad fouls. But at the end of the day, there were lessons learned, and a memorable win at that on this young season. 

Halloween in Brooklyn finally showed its magic. 

Spencer Dinwiddie

A+

The stats: 25 PTS, 8-15 FG, 5-9 3PT, 4-4 FT, 4 REB, 4 AST, 2 TO, 32 MIN

Big-time Spence!

Dinwiddie had a rough first half, but he willed this team to the overtime victory with every facet of his play in the second half. The threes, the aggression, the free throws. 

If only Spencer could play the Pistons every game. 

Caris LeVert

A-

The stats: 19 PTS, 7-16 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-6 FT, 6 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO, 40 MIN

Caris finds his way to the paint often to draw contact and make things happen for his team. He makes big plays and smart decisions. Those contributions kept the Nets afloat before Brooklyn finally pounced on the deficit in the fourth quarter.

And Caris is just fun to watch. 

Joe Harris

B+

The stats: 23 PTS, 8-14 FG, 4-7 3PT, 3-3 FT, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 TO, 41 MIN

Joe made two quick threes to start the game that got Brooklyn on its fast pace in the first quarter. For him to put up 20+ points, especially when D’Angelo is struggling offensively, is just what the Nets need him to do.

Now, all we need to figure out is his new nickname. 

D'Angelo Russell

C-

The stats: 6 PTS, 3-15 FG, 0-6 3PT, 0-1 FT, 2 REB, 6 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 25 MIN

Talk about motivation for D’Angelo to improve.

I’m sure he wanted to be on the court during Brooklyn’s run, but Dinwiddie was contributing offensively what D’Angelo could not. He distributed the ball well early and forced some timely steals, but the 0-of-6 from three shooting does not cut it when Brooklyn needs him the most. 

For today, Dinwiddie stole the spotlight.