Entering tonight’s matchup versus the Phoenix Suns, the Brooklyn Nets were hoping to begin a new win streak. And with Suns coming off a devastating triple overtime loss to the Washington Wizards last night, Brooklyn couldn’t have asked for an easier opponent.

Needless to say, defeating the Suns could have many implications for this young Nets team, giving them the much-needed confidence that they can bounce back when challenged. The Suns, whose four-game win streak ended last night, were trying to show that same resilience as they too attempt to save their season.

Throughout the contest, the Nets struggled to guard Deandre Ayton, the most recent No. 1 overall selection. The talented center put his offensive skills on display in the first quarter, even scoring ten of Phoenix’s first 19 points. But the 8-25 Suns couldn’t contain Brooklyn’s offense, in turn allowing 38 points in the first of their own.

This was exactly the type of start the Nets needed.

The second quarter featured a strong performance from Ed Davis, who scored eight points in the period. In the first half, he shot a perfect 5-for-5 and held his own against Ayton. Playing only 17 minutes per game, the gritty forward has been a consistent force off the bench this season.

Going into the half up 63-56, Brooklyn needed to focus on two objectives. First, they needed to play clean basketball, as they turned the ball over eight times in the first half. Second, Brooklyn had to find a way to slow down the aforementioned Ayton.

The Nets opened the third quarter 0-6 from the field, seeing their lead shrink to two points. All signs pointed to the Suns taking the lead.

Uh oh, here comes the third quarter collapse.

But the Nets responded in force as Joe Harris and D’Angelo Russell hit back-to-back three-pointers, extending Brooklyn’s lead to eight. After 12 points in the first half, “The Rodi Show” continued in the third. Following his first bucket of the half, Rodions Kurucs blocked Devin Booker and then finished on the other end with a right-handed slam. That 13-0 Nets run gave them a 15 point lead with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

The Nets would never look back.

In the fourth quarter, the Suns never really posed much of a threat to the Nets’ double-digit lead but slowly cut into it over time. Brooklyn continued playing team-oriented basketball, spreading the ball and getting to the basket at an efficient rate.

Each time Brooklyn’s lead was even slightly threatened, Spencer Dinwiddie had an answer. Tonight, he fulfilled Caris LeVert’s role as closer, and a position the newly-signed guard has embraced over the last two seasons.

The Nets beat the Suns by a score of 111-103, handing them the series sweep.

In other years and other systems, Brooklyn would’ve found a way to lose this one. By bouncing back from Friday night’s streak-ending loss, the Nets have shown just how much they have grown this season.