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The Nets had misplaced each of their earlier conferences in opposition to lowly Washington, together with the worst defensive efficiency in your complete NBA all season. On Sunday, they broke no matter hex the Wizards had on them.
The Nets received again to their successful methods, a 113-106 victory at Barclays Middle.
“We simply received sufficient stops,” mentioned Steve Nash. “They’re a troublesome crew for us to cowl. We’d like us simply to take that subsequent step, however if you happen to actually take a look at the sport, we gave up 20 factors within the first 5 minutes, so we held them to 86 in 43 minutes. So fairly good while you take a step again and take a look at it.”
Kyrie Irving had a team-high 28 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists. James Harden had 26 factors, eight assists, 5 boards, and even shrugged off a collision late within the first half to assist lead the win within the second. Blake Griffin made his Nets debut and had two factors in quarter-hour, a dunk that had the group roaring.
Washington’s Russell Westbrook had 29 factors, 13 assists and 13 boards, however the Nets survived to win for the fifteenth time within the final 17 video games. They stayed a recreation behind the East-leading 76ers.
The Nets (29-14) flipped a 14-point first-half deficit right into a two-touchdown second-quarter lead that they by no means surrendered. They did see it minimize to 103-102 with three minutes in regulation, however they closed on a 10-4 run to place the competition away.
“We didn’t do an awesome job at loading up and getting again in transition. However then once more, they solely had 23 factors in that fourth quarter, in order that’s fairly strong,” Harden mentioned. “It was largely that first 5 minutes once we gave up 20 factors. After that, we held them to 86, so it was fairly strong for the remainder of the sport.”
Irving had 4 factors and two assists in that game-clinching run, each dimes going to Nic Claxton (16 factors) for dunks and three-point performs.
“It felt good Kyrie handed me the ball, truthfully. I’m used to him taking pictures, so it felt good when he handed me the ball,” mentioned Claxton. “Ending is simple: going up, dunking, utilizing my athleticism and flattening free throws. It’s being locked-in mentally, being prepared. My title was referred to as, and I used to be able to go.”
So had been the Nets — finally.
After having allowed 149 factors of their Jan. 31 loss to Washington — probably the most surrendered by any crew all season — the Nets fell behind 20-6 out of the gate on a Garrison Matthews 3 with 7:14 left within the first quarter.
However by 7:14 left within the second, they’d seized management with an prolonged 35-14 run — together with reeling off 9 unanswered factors to open the second quarter.
Joe Harris hit a 3 to present Brooklyn a 41-34 lead. The Nets harassed Washington into 5 of 18 taking pictures and eight turnovers, sparking their very own transition recreation. One other Harris 3 a minute later pushed it to 46-36.
When Irving picked off a Westbrook go, it led to a Bruce Brown layup on the opposite finish and 52-38 lead. They by no means gave it up, though they got here shut.
Brooklyn noticed Washington shut inside 103-102 on a Westbrook layup with 3:01 to go in regulation. However Irving and Claxton sparked that 10-4 run to make sure there could be no additional time.
Harden shook off a collision simply earlier than the half, one which had him down on the court docket with a coach engaged on his neck.
“I received hit within the jaw. My neck form of twitched. I’ll be all proper. It’s nothing,” mentioned Harden. “Get some remedy on it, get some relaxation and be able to go the subsequent recreation.”
The Nets, who don’t drive turnovers, compelled 19 and turned them into 27 factors.
“We did a superb job hawking the ball at instances, forcing some turnovers, getting some steals,” mentioned Nash. “But additionally there’s randomness to the NBA. It’s just like the Orlando recreation; they made every thing, contested or not. [Sunday], they had been a little bit careless with it. I don’t wish to discredit our guys’ effort … however generally the opposite crew helps you out in that division.”
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