BK Nets: Plums Turns Down The Heat in South Beach

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Brooklyn Sweeps Series 4-0 Over Miami

BKN 101; MIA 100

BKN 104; MIA 95 2OT

BKN 96; MIA 95

BKN 88; MIA 87

BROOKLYN NETS: Look What Flatbush Did To The Miami Heat Again!

After 16 quarters, and 2 overtime sessions of regular season basketball, the Brooklyn Nets triumphantly completed a series sweep of the Miami Heat Tuesday evening, with an 88-87 victory over the defending NBA champions.

The second meeting of the season was hurled into a pair of overtime sessions before the Nets ultimately prevailed.  Otherwise, the Nets managed victories by a mere single point in each of their other three victories over the Heat.  The night also marked a Nets sweep of the Miami Heat for the first time in 11 seasons.

Tonight, he was Plums, otherwise, Mason Plumlee was huge, and stood no taller, or loomed larger, than when he blocked King James' attempting a game winning two hand jam.  LeBron James whined like any megastar feeling he deserved a whistle.  But, it was Plumlee who inevitably romped off the court in Miami exhorting his victorious mates with a resounding - Let's Go!

Plumlee clocked in 30 minutes against the Heat, scored 8 timely points, pulled down a Nets high 8 rebounds, and blocked 3 shots, but saved his best for last.   His dunk off a Deron Williams feed with 0:41 seconds remaining put the Nets ahead 89-88, and his block of LeBron James, preserved the win.

With only 5 games remaining in the season, Mason Plumlee's Duke pedigree and confidence seems to be at an all-time high during this, his rookie season.  I said early in the season that he may be raw, but he certainly wouldn't look outclassed.  He now seems to be peeking, like his team mates, at the right time.

Mr. Big Shot, Joe Johnson led the Nets with 19 points, and Marcus Thornton, who excelled in the fourth quarter, poured in 16 huge points off the bench.

LeBron James led all scorers with 29 points, and in rebounds with 10.  Dwayne Wade did not play. For Brooklyn, Kevin Garnett and Andray Blatche missed Tuesday's game as well.

In the Atlantic Division race, the Nets gained a 1/2 game on the idle Raptors, to pull within 2 games.  Toronto plays the 76ers on Wednesday.  Brooklyn likewise gained a 1/2 games on the Eastern Conference 4th seed Chicago Bulls, who will also return to action Wednesday evening.

The Nets will be playing the second game of a back to back on Wednesday, with a stop in Orlando to play the Magic.

On December 31, 2013, the Nets were at their worst, floundering 11 games under .500, with a 10-21 record.  By March 3rd, the Nets finally achieved a .500 record for the first this season, with a 29-29 record.  They have posted a 14-5 record since then.




Mike.BTB