Maybe it’s just a gentleman’s sweep, but given how close the first two games were, the Nets taking control in this one is not that big of a surprise: they protected the rim, hit shots when it mattered, spread the ball and kept everyone involved, put up their biggest run (18-0) to bridge the third and fourth quarters, and never relinquished the lead.

The Nets have now guaranteed at least a five-game series. Will it be more?

Brook Lopez

A

The stats: 22 PTS, 7-18 FG, 8-12 FG, 13 REB, 2 BLK, 2 TOV

My favorite move of Lopez’s tonight: the spin move he pulled off on the left block three or four times. Clean, smooth, predictable, and still kind of unstoppable.

It’s hardly trenchant or innovative analysis, but Lopez is the biggest and longest dude in either team’s rotation, and if he can carve out space in the paint & Nets guards can find him in positions to score, he will do just that. It seems they’ve figured out Atlanta’s magic pick-and-roll defensive formula, and Lopez offered just enough rim protection to bother Jeff Teague & his merry band of Hawks drivers.