Without James Harden (thigh) and with only 9 players available, the Nets still went all out, starting with a very inspired Patty Mills in attack, and leader of a formation without a superstar. The Nuggets were surprised by the intensity during the first period, and by the contribution of the Brooklyn bench, with a Cam Thomas who was not afraid to take his ticket shoots (25 points this evening). At the break, residents of Barclays Center even led by 11 points (65-54).
But it was without counting on the burst of pride of the players of Colorado, and more particularly of Austin Rivers. The rear of the Nuggets plants three award-winning shots in the heart of a 22-6 to overturn the meeting. The 3rd quarter is one-sided, and Rivers resumes his artillery in the 4th quarter with three new 3-point shots. On arrival, it’s a 13th loss at home for the Nets (124-118) in a meeting marked by the expulsion of DeMarcus Cousins at the start of the fourth quarter.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A different 24th major five for the Nets. No James Harden, only 9 players available, and Steve Nash had to deal again with the remaining forces. Starting the game with Patty Mills, Deandre Bembry, Kessler Edwards, James Johnson and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Nets presented a 24th different major five since the start of the season.
– Aldridge, the man of the first half. It was “back to the Portland days” with LaMarcus Aldridge in the first 24 minutes of the match. With his “signature” shot at half distance (14 points), but also a good presence on the rebound (6 shots), the interior veteran carried his team in a very successful first half (65-54).
– A stunning third quarter. Led at the break, Mike Malone’s men let loose in attack. With 42 points scored, and above all a good defense, the Nuggets took the operations in hand, not to let go of the advantage in scoring.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Nikola Jokic. The Joker had his face closed for much of the match, then pulled out the guns to finish the job. With 26 units in just 13 shots attempted, the Serbian pivot has calmed the good intentions of the Nets. The 2021 MVP was the hub of his team, and regaled his people with his usual caviars (8 assists, including 4 to Austin Rivers alone).
✅austin rivers. The “son of” was brilliant, to the point of disgusting the Nets during the last quarter with three-point shots (7 shots from the parking lot, for a total of 25 points). His agreement with Nikola Jokic was superb, and Rivers allowed his team to kill the last hopes of Brooklyn in the last minutes of the match. Very comfortable in Coach Malone’s collective, he brings a nice spark off the bench.
✅Camera Thomas. Steve Nash chose to use it as a “joker” and he did not disappoint. He is a formidable attacker, if not concerned with defense, and perhaps his future is not in Brooklyn where the horizon remains blocked if the “Big Three” is in the medium term.
✅⛔FromMarcus Cousins. Yet solid in the first period, Cousins ruined his evening at the start of the last quarter by being expelled from the match after an arbitration decision which he strongly contested. It’s bound to be reminiscent of his years at the Kings, where Cousins bloodshed was a common occurrence. Coach Malone glared as the veteran exited…
THE FOLLOWING
Brooklyn (29-19) : beginning of a road trip to the West with a first match Friday against the Warriors.
Denver (26-21) : new trip Friday on the side of New Orleans.
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