Nets Vs Cavs Recap: Close Call

P.J. Carlesimo spoke of wanting to see how his team would respond in the face of adversity in an interview. Sometimes you have to be careful on what you ask for.

C.J. Miles

The Nets were back at it again, facing the Cleveland Cavaliers without Anderson Varejao. Brooklyn  got off to an impressive start and it started with Brook Lopez. His energy was blistering for the Cavaliers defense. Tyler Zeller was put on a island by himself and it would cost his team 22 points and 3 offensive rebounds in the first half. The only thing that stopped him was two early fouls. Gerald Wallace has been a key player for the Nets. Not because of his usual play, but his offense. A couple games before Avery Johnson was fired, he would push the pace but his teammates would just watch. Now they have been running and they have been benefiting off of hockey assists. That along with the active hands on defense really put them up by double digits. C.J Miles brought them back scoring 22 points on 8 of 10 shooting. His play alone saved his team from an embarrassing score. The half ended with the Nets up 61 to 53.

The second half started off with a high pace but it died down quick. Lopez would get a couple of baskets to go down but the Nets offense tried to get Joe Johnson going. He would make a few shots but the offense wasn't as efficient. Andray Blatche was making poor decisions and that sparked the Cavaliers to make an 11 to 4 run. Kyrie Irving and Dion Waters did not help. Deron Williams was quiet offensively but he played great defense on Irving making him work for those jump shots.  The game was still close and it would be for the rest of the game. Later in the fourth, Reggie Evans physical play helped the Nets which assisted them to easy baskets. Lopez entered the game and scored eight straight but the game would remain close. This was due to  numerous break downs defending the pick and roll. The game came down to Kyrie Irving making a three to bring them within three, and then missing a three to lose the game. The Nets escaped with a needed win.

Lopez finished with 35 points and 11 rebounds. C.J. Miles finished with 33 points on 11 of 15 shooting.

Final Score: 103-100 Nets
Most Disappointing Stat of The Game:  29-39 on free-throws
Promising Stat of the Game: Forced 18 turnovers
Scary Moment of the Game: Kyrie Irving making it a three point game with 05.9 seconds left.
Best Moment of the Game: Brook Lopez with the up and under.

Box Score - NBA.com

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