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Pour on the points: Nets match largest win of Brooklyn era over Mavs

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A+

Final: 03/04/2019

W 127 – 88

From blows to playoff hopes to blowing out the Mavs, the Nets made quite the turnaround Monday night. 

After a three-game losing streak, the Nets responded by matching their largest win of the Brooklyn Nets era, a 39-point defeat of the Dallas Mavs at home.

It was just what the doctor ordered, and a reason to DANCE. 

A prescribed remedy of driving the ball and finding opportunities from three, powered by ball movement, was what did the trick to turn around a critical stretch for the Nets. Ball-sharing resulting in six teammates in double figures and was matched by a strong defensive presence, with the Mavs held to 35.6 percent shooting.

There were many standout stats in this one, led by the margin of victory and a 20-2 run that gave Brooklyn as large as a 44-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. That level of efficiency was reflected in the team’s 56.5 percent shooting and making 17 of 41 threes. 

The Nets not only rebounded from a three-game skid, but *literally* rebounded well, sporting a 48-36 advantage after getting edged by double digits in rebounding against Miami. That was a team effort as well, with Ed Davis leading the way with 10 rebounds off the bench. 

In addition to the inside presence, the Nets’ bench outscored the Mavs’ 68-31. DeMarre Carroll led the bench with 22 points in as many minutes, adding his “D.C. moments,” as he calls them, with his second 20-point performance in the Nets’ last three games.

The trio of Carroll, Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert were 18-28 from the field and had eight threes. That bench impact was a game-changer. 

Powered by the pace D’Angelo Russell set with his 13-point, 11-assist double-double, the Nets’ lead was never greatly threatened. Brooklyn finished the first quarter on an 18-6 run to lead by 10, and the lead only grew with each quarter, with a season-leading 18-point lead at halftime and 26-point edge after three. 

The Nets looked their best when they went on a 20-2 run in the fourth quarter to lead by as many as 44 points. Holding the Mavs to just 15 points in the fourth, the Nets put an exclamation mark on a big win for morale that brings the team back to .500. 

For the Mav, unlikely offensive threat Dwight Powell led the way with 20 points, while star Luka Doncic was held to just 16 points (even though he made this crazy halfcourt shot before halftime). 

And Nets fans made sure to cheer on Dirk Nowitzki as he tried to make a basket (he finished with 4 points on 2-of-13 shooting), which was arguably the most fun part of the night. 

The Nets may not be able to bottle this performance up and put up these numbers each night, but they showed they still have what it takes to keep their foot on the gas and not let up — and after losing three games in disappointing fashion, that was beyond important. 

DeMarre Carroll

A+

The stats: 22 PTS, 7-9 FG, 5-7 3PT, 3-4 FT, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 TO, 22 MIN

What a game by DeMarre Carroll. 

Scoring 10 points in his first 10 minutes and having the hot hand throughout the night, DeMarre led Brooklyn’s bench threat. His three-point shooting was automatic, and his +33 mark is a career-high. 

Putting up his second 20-point performance in the last three games, DeMarre is leading by example. Along with his four assists and five rebounds, his “D.C.” moments will go a long way in this final stretch. 

Rodions Kurucs

A

The stats: 19 PTS, 7-12 FG, 5-7 3PT, 6 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 24 MIN

Rodi loves being in the starting lineup at the four. 

With Kenny Atkinson choosing to move Caris LeVert to the bench, Rodi was able to get into his groove early. He slowly started to heat up from three — and he was, clearly, feeling it. 

Rodi was sloppy at times, but if he keeps up his shooting, the Nets will be in good shape going forward if Kenny continues with this lineup. 

Caris LeVert

A

The stats: 18 PTS, 5-11 FG, 2-7 3PT, 6-8 FT, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 TO, 27 MIN

Caris started off the bench in a change to the lineup, and it seems like it’s working so far. Caris played well in the second unit, contributing to the ball movement that powered the Nets’ offense Monday. 

Caris, along with DeMarre and Spencer, made up an efficient bench unit that made the Nets so dangerous against the Mavs. The Nets’ threat did not have a break, and Caris played a large role in that (and mic’d up Caris was fun, too). 

Spencer Dinwiddie

A-

The stats: 16 PTS, 6-8 FG, 1-3 3PT, 3-5 FT, 2 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 TO, 20 MIN

Spencer is slowing returning to form, and it’s fun to watch. 

Everything was working for Spencer from the start, making his way to the rim and beating out his defenders. He put up 16 points in 20 minutes in his own rhythm. 

Keep it up, Spence. 

D'Angelo Russell

A-

The stats: 13 PTS, 6-13 FG, 1-6 3PT, 2 REB, 11 AST, 2 STL, 2 TO, 22 MIN

D-Lo didn’t have his three-point shot working on Monday, but he still ran the show with a confidence the Nets needed to see. The one-on-one matchups, the pretty jumpers, the smooth feeds to his teammates cutting in the paint — it was all there. 

The Nets’ success against the Mavs was all about ball sharing, and it started and ended with D-Lo. The confidence is back, and with it the Nets can go far. 

And they can keep dancing.

Joe Harris

B+

The stats: 11 PTS, 5-7 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2 REB, 2 AST, 1 TO, 28 MIN

Joe did not have the biggest impact offensively, but he’s getting a shoutout in the grades simply for this highlight. 

Who knew Joe would have the viral ankle-breaking highlight of the night in the NBA, but here we are. Good on you, Joe. 

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