Nets vs Timberwolves Recap

The Nets came out strong against the Minnesota Timberwolves  starting off with a three from Keith Bogans. His made basket infected the Timberwolves defense with a weird epidemic, that allowed the Nets to make 6 out of 9 three-pointers defense in the first half. The Nets were passing the ball beautifully. Finding open guys and hitting open shots was the motive for those two quarters. Lopez was posting up , hitting his flat Jason Collins like jump-shot off the glass. Getting to the free-throw line with the Kevin Durant  up-and-under the the defenders hands like move. Brook Lopez was actually looking like a true center. His rebounding still needs work but his effort was there.

The most interesting game-play from the first half was some of the plays drawn up for Joe Johnson and Deron Williams. There was a play where Deron would be on the left block, screen for the big on the other and then pop out for the corner three. The outcome was successful but I did not see the play after. Another play allowed  Joe Johnson to run off a screen , eventually getting open and nailing the shot. These plays are something to look forward to. MarShon Brooks had 11 points which were nice plays made on the break and nice drives to the rim. The Nets offense played extremely well and scored 62 points by halftime. Deron Williams also had 9 points and 8 assist by halftime . All these stats might lead you to believe that the Nets were well on their way to being undefeated going into Miami. But somehow, The Timberwolves found a way to cure the disease.

The Nets biggest lead was 22 but still couldn't manage to hold it. The offense became stagnant.  Passing the ball was another language  and getting open was simply not allowed by the Timberwolves. Brook Lopez was shut down and there was a lot more 1-on-1 plays than pick- n-roll sets and screens called. The Nets defense played good in spurts but that vanished  in the second half. The Timberwolves ruled the paint scoring 62 to the Nets 34. Nikola Pekovic was the major reason for this but this continues to be a serious problem for the Nets defense. Teams just seem to run pick-n-rolls targeting Brook Lopez and his lateral movement.  Then the Timberwolves began hitting threes until they eventually won the game. Andrei Kirilenko played like a man who wanted to prove something. Finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

This  game was definitely disappointing . Deron Williams called it embarrassing and I'm sure Avery is probably trying to keep the team positive. Hopefully, this loss serves as an early wake up call because the Nets need all the wins they can get. Especially, the games when they're highly favored.

Final Result: 96-107
Disappointing Stat of the Game: Nets gave up a 22 point lead
Promising Stat of the Game: 6 players had double digits in scoring
Scary Moment of the Game:  Nikola Pekovic extended the Timberwolves lead to 4 with 1:32 left in regulation.
Best Moment of the game: Brook Lopez strong dunk down the middle.

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