Excellent start to the game. Carved up Miami’s interior defense for layups and passes alike. Created open looks for Humphries in transition, perimeter players, Blatche at the rim, broke down defenses to draw extra defenders, played through obvious pain, he did it all…
Except score.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that when he’s good, he is just so good, and played up to that level tonight. He just hasn’t put the ball in the basket himself well this season, and tonight was not an exception.
Looked invisible until a quick seven points to bolster the offense in the second quarter. Hit another three in the third, but vacillated between trying to force his offense and removing himself from the offense completely. Disappeared in the fourth quarter as the Nets fell apart. Had some rough moments defensively, too.
Played about as well as you can against LeBron James when you’re Gerald Wallace, but after a couple of early long shots, couldn’t find the touch that gave him success in Orlando.
Ran the floor in transition and had a good first half, but wasn’t a determining factor.
Another impressive night from Blatche. Got himself free at the rim for easy looks from Deron Williams, but unlike backup centers in previous years, caught the ball and converted the looks. Loped around Chris Bosh for shots at the rim and fought hard boxing out on both ends. Had a couple of frozen moments defensively, but wasn’t the reason the Nets lost tonight.
I had a full A+ all-caps recap planned, but it just doesn’t feel right in a loss. So I’ll just say this: Jerry Stackhouse hit two turnaround jumpers with a hand in his face and basically dunked over Joel Anthony for an and-one. And it was awesome.
The most productive member of the bench mob tonight (not including Blatche, who was not a Bench Mobber tonight).
