This is the way you’re speculated to deal with the worst staff in all of basketball.
The Nets entered Houston with one job: Don’t fall sufferer in a lure sport towards a Rockets staff with solely a handful of victories on the season.
It began gradual, however as soon as Brooklyn discovered some rhythm, the Nets pulled away for a 118-96 victory, good for his or her third straight victory after a rocky begin within the aftermath of the blockbuster Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades.
And there’s no higher microcosm for Brooklyn’s convincing highway victory than Nic Claxton’s resilience after he was on the receiving finish of two spotlight reel moments.
Rockets star Jalen Green put Claxton on a poster not as soon as, however twice on Tuesday evening, together with a vicious one-handed slam, adopted by a stare-down halfway by means of the third quarter.
Green completed with 25 factors however solely shot 9-of-21 from the sphere, a largely impactless stat line aside from the transient jolt his highlight-reel dunks gave his staff.
Claxton completed the evening with 18 factors, 12 rebounds, 5 blocks and a steal. It was simply his finest sport because the commerce deadline.
“It’s huge for our group, just the way we want to play (with) versatility. It just allows us to play different defenses,” head coach Jacque Vaughn mentioned of Claxton’s impression. “He’s covering up different plays for us. . . and then on the other end, altering shots and then being in position to guard multiple bodies. So, unique. We love him, what he brings to the table. Continue to push him to grow. Continue to push him to get better.”
Even if the Rockets personal the worst file in all of basketball, it was a top quality win for a Nets staff nonetheless looking for its chemistry whereas trying to retain its standing as an Eastern Conference playoff staff.
That’s as a result of the Rockets jumped on the Nets early, taking a 12-2 lead out of the gate and led 34-27 early within the second quarter.
The Nets took management shortly after, discovering their rhythm from downtown after beginning the sport 1-of-6 from behind the arc. They then fended off the Rockets’ futile makes an attempt to claw again into the sport getting into the half — then blowing Houston out of the water with a 22-point second-half lead that by no means felt inside attain for a reeling Rockets staff.
Brooklyn held a double-digit lead for the ultimate 22 minutes of the sport.
“We made an adjustment, shrinking the floor, putting more bodies in front of the ball, and that did a lot for us on the defensive end,” Vaughn mentioned.
Nets star Mikal Bridges continued his sizzling scoring streak, ending with a game-high 30 factors on 9-of-20 capturing from the sphere and a 4-of-10 clip from downtown. Bridges has scored 30 or extra factors on 5 of his final eight video games in Brooklyn and he grew to become the primary participant in NBA historical past to common 25-plus factors on higher than 50 p.c capturing from the sphere, 40 p.c capturing from three and 90 p.c capturing from the foul line in his first 10 video games with a brand new staff.
For reference, Bridges solely scored 30 or extra twice within the first 367 video games of his profession.
Spencer Dinwiddie added 23 factors on 8-of-16 capturing from the sphere, and the mix of Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris and Seth Curry mixed to attain 35 factors off the bench.
“That second quarter was a big difference-maker for us. That group — CJ (Cam Johnson), Seth was in there, Joe was in there — they really shifted the momentum into our direction, especially going into halftime. Their ability to get stops, and get out in transition and create pace was huge. The depth definitely paid dividends tonight.”
The Nets have executed themselves a giant favor within the Eastern Conference playoff image. After gorgeous the Celtics by getting back from down 28 in Boston, then holding down the fort in video games they had been speculated to win towards the Hornets and Rockets, the Nets are actually tied within the loss column with the No. 5 Knicks, who misplaced to the Charlotte Hornets with out star guard LaMelo Ball on Tuesday.
Next up: The Nets head to Milwaukee to tackle Giannis Antetokounmpo and the championship-contending Bucks.
Unlike the Rockets, the Bucks have the most effective file in all of basketball and are coming off a convincing victory over the Nets in Brooklyn.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com