First Win at San Antonio
Since 2002-2003 Finals
MONDAY
Nets 124
Spurs 113
FINAL
Crisis Averted; Flatbush Closes Out Spurs in Overtime
Flatbush started out fast, jumping out after the first quarter to a 27-20 lead. Their lead grew to as large as twelve. However, San Antonio answered with a 33-30 second quarter, closing the deficit to just three points at halftime. Nicolas Claxton led the Nets with 13 points and three rebounds in just nine minutes off the bench. Kyrie Irving was 3/3 from behind the arc en route to 12 points, and James Harden led the floor with ten assists with six points. Back in the starting lineup, DeAndre Jordan had a big block against DeMar Derozan and soon after converted an alley-oop from Kyrie Irving, making it a 24-14 game in favor of Brooklyn. The Nets shot an even 50% from the field and outscored the Spurs 24-18 in the paint.
Bruce Brown then took charge as Claxton was limited to just four points in the second half but remained energetic on defense. San Antonio continued chipping away nevertheless, outscoring the Nets again in the third 27-24, for a tie game after three. Brooklyn went on a 7-0 run giving themselves a 90-84 lead. Shortly thereafter, James Harden's three-pointer gives the Nets a twelve-point lead. But back came the Spurs closing the gap to four, then two points with only 0:40 left. With regulation time winding down Kyrie gained penetration through the middle but could not convert a clean layup that would have effectively put the nail in the Spurs coffin. Kyrie could have also just dribbled it out, but San Antonio secures the rebound and hurriedly heads up the court. Despite getting tripped up, Dijounte Murray maintains possession and launches a desperation shot from the high key and hits!
The San Antonio Spurs close out the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run, and into overtime, they go at the Alamo ...
Brooklyn with a 16-5 effort in the extra session wraps up their first win at San Antonio since the 2002-2003 season. It's their ninth win in their last ten games. They improve to 23-17 for the season and 10-7 on the road.
Nicolas Claxton finished with 17 points in 17 minutes off the bench and nailed a big three in overtime, while Bruce Brown was a stellar 10/13 from the field en route to a clutch 23 point performance. I say it that way because, with Kevin Durant still out of action, Joe Harris once again failed to satisfactorily step it up. I don't need Joe Harris flourishing when five opposing defenders are preoccupied with Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. I need Harris upping his game when the big three aren't together. Joe finished 3/10 and 3/8 from behind the arc for nine points in 40 minutes. Meanwhile, DeAndre Jordan earned his keep with three big blocks and an overall good effort on defense to go along with eight points and 13 rebounds.
James Harden scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He wound up leading all players with 30 points, 15 assists, and 14 rebounds in 44 minutes. It's his sixth game of 30+ points and seventh triple-double since joining the Nets. Kyrie Irving was 6/10 from three-range as part of a 27 point night with seven assists.
With Philadelphia's victory over Indiana, Flatbush remains one half-game behind the Sixers for the conference's top spot.
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