After three even quarters that found the Brooklyn Nets & Portland Trail Blazers tied 70-all, Brooklyn closed out the fourth with purpose, relying on their stars down the stretch to score and their role players to perform their roles. Deron Williams & Joe Johnson played effortlessly off one another, Reggie Evans grabbed 14 rebounds in 22 minutes, Kris Humphries had an effective double-double, and Brook Lopez scored big down the stretch to help lead the Nets to victory. Here’s your Net Worth:
Scored through contact, drove the lane with purpose (particularly early in the third quarter), and kept his head up looking for open teammates. For all the offense Lopez & Johnson provided in the fourth, Williams was often the one that got them the ball in a position to score. Also three steals, and a career-high four blocks. Three blocks in the first quarter. Watch out, Brook.
Had his second straight game of offensive excellence. Created high-percentage looks and knocked them down. His floater was on point tonight. He & Lopez carried the offense for a major portion of the fourth quarter. Hit Deron Williams for an assist on a late three-pointer that essentially iced the game. Brooklyn’s backcourt in full effect.
Woof. Energy is there, but he’s gambling constantly and not hitting outside shots.
A quiet, very good game from Humphries, and his best in a while: chased boards with an Evansesque purpose, hit his left-side jumper, and finished his looks inside. He had some issues defensively with Hickson, but with an efficient double-double, not much to complain about.
The Nets normally run the offense through Lopez early, but instead spread out his touches throughout the game, and got him some big shots in the fourth quarter. Also: eight rebounds! (Yes, I’m excited that the Nets center got eight rebounds.)
Thanks for the ulcers.
Got first-half minutes! Didn’t really do anything with them, but played the minutes Jerry Stackhouse has been playing. Did have two really nice moves to the basket from the right side, finishing one of them, and found Lopez inside on a nice dish.
A quintessential Reggie Evans game if there ever was one. Tons of rebounds, no scoring, annoying defense. Shoved Jared Jeffries and somehow got Jeffries called for the technical. Good ol’ Reggie.
