Game Grades

Nets Rebound With Full-Effort Win Over Wizards

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A-

Final: 10/25/2021

W 104 – 90

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Photo courtesy YES Network

The Nets looked the most locked-in and energetic as they have to start this season, and it just happened to come on the second half of a back-to-back. 

Kevin Durant continued his high-scoring season as the Nets recorded a 104-90 win over the Wizards at home on Monday. The win pulls the Nets to 2-2 on the year, while Durant also broke 24,000 career points with his 25-point night.

Brooklyn bounced back with a purpose after a second-half collapse against the Hornets the night before. One change that helped shift the energy was Bruce Brown entering the starting lineup, where he immediately showed hustle and chemistry with James Harden.

The Nets held Bradley Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie to just 29 combined points as they struggled from the field throughout the night. Instead, the Nets got off to the hot start with a 38-point first quarter and built as large as a 25-point lead. 

Brooklyn ran into a rough patch of offense to start the second half, going nearly five minutes without a bucket. The team kept up the pressure on defense, though, so the Wizards never were too close to threaten to take the lead.

The Nets held the Wizards to 34.7% shooting from the field and 9-of-39 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Nets shot 42.6% and 10-of-35 from the field as five players reached double figures in scoring.

It was a night of progress for the Nets as Durant got offensive support and the team got off to a quick start and held down the turnovers to nine. Next up: The Heat travel to Brooklyn for what can be an exciting matchup and good test for the Nets.  

Kevin Durant

A

The stats: 25 PTS, 9-17 FG, 1-2 3PT, 6-9 FT, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO, 35 MIN

The emoji: ?

It’s hard to imagine Kevin Durant getting off to a better start this season, and now he’s getting offensive support. 

Patty Mills

A

The stats: 21 PTS, 8-14 FG, 5-9 3PT, 2 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, 23 MIN

Patty Mills is proving to be the lethal bench threat Nets fans were hoping for. 

James Harden

B

The stats: 14 PTS, 5-17 FG, 1-8 3PT, 3-3 FT, 6 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL, 2 TO, 30 MIN

James Harden is still struggling a bit with his own shot, but his chemistry with his teammates — and therefore his ball protection — is improving.

You have to love this four-point play, though. Vintage Harden.

Bruce Brown

B+

The stats: 14 PTS, 6-10 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, 3 REB, 1 TO, 30 MIN

Bruce was great as a starter, and Nic Claxton was great off the bench. The lineup will likely still rely on matchups, but this was a good test to switching things up. 

The energy Bruce brought set the tone.

Joe Harris

B-

The stats: 11 PTS, 3-12 FG, 3-11 3PT, 2-2 FT, 8 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO, 30 MIN

It still wasn’t Joe’s best shooting night, but he got off to a good start and stepped up on the boards. Luckily, Joe has another reliable shooter as a teammate to support him — when both are on point, watch out.

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