Nets at Pacers Recap: Grinding it Out

After losing to the Spurs without their two best players, The Nets looked to come in Indiana and win without their star point guard Deron Williams. The Pacers have been without Danny Granger all season so it an even match up despite Indiana having the second best team defense in the league.

The Nets came out aggressive making a conscious effort to live inside the paint. Brook Lopez went 4 of 7 from the field in the first quarter, from post ups and mid range jump shots. Gerald Wallace also contributed, getting 5 points and 5 rebounds in that quarter. Roy Hibbert has struggled all season but he still has the ability and showed his skill against Lopez. He would block two of his shots, and score 6 points with nice hook shots. David West was injured from an in accidental scratch to the eye from Lopez. In the second quarter, both teams would let there benches play and Tyshawn Taylor finally go the chance to play early in the game. His penetration was explosive and managed to score 5 points. MarShon Brooks scored 4 points but the Pacers Bench responded. Jeff Pendergraph, scored 10 points in the second quarter and managed to tie the game until P.J. Carlisemo called a timeout. Lopez would be put back in the game but the Pacers locked down defensively and would end up taking the lead. Indiana led by 5 at the half. Reggie Evans had 10 rebounds but the Pacers led in that category with 32.

Lopez opened up the second half with two consecutive baskets. David West returned in the second half and scored his first field goal on Evans. Then, Joe Johnson decided to return with an And-1. Besides those conversions, the Nets struggled getting easy baskets. Lopez carried the Nets for most of the quarter. C.J. Watson struggled the whole game and he would be replace early by Tyshawn Taylor who constantly got into the paint. He did not score but it allowed for offensive rebounds. The Nets took the lead by four after the third. Brook and Taylor opened the fourth quarter with two baskets and Wallace followed pushing the lead up to nine.Tyshawn Taylor was left in the game with the starters late in the fourth but the offense was stagnant. Joe Johnson and Lopez fought for easy looks and even fought harder just to make a basket. The game was close all the way until the two minute mark. The Nets had a two point lead but Roy Hibbert scored on Lopez and George Hill scored off a steal to go up by four. Paul George fouled out late and the Nets were in the bonus. This was crucial because he was the reason for Johnson's struggles, and Johnson scored to tie it with 13 seconds left. Nets played great defense on a David West attempt and forced an overtime.

The Nets locked down defensively and executed better on offense. Tyshwan Taylor was a big part of that, scoring two major baskets early but it was more of a balanced effort. The Nets would end up winning, adding to their overtime winning streak at nine. Lopez finished with 25 and 8 but Taylor had a pretty good game with 12 points off the bench . There will be a scouting report on him when they face the Denver Nuggets but this is a good start for him and a much needed win for the team.

Box Score

Final Score : 89-84 Nets
Most Disappointing Stat of the Game: Nets only dished out 9 assists.
Most Promising Stat of the Game: 10 rebounds in first half for Reggie Evans. (Finished with 22)
Scary Moment of The Game: David West had a chance to make a go ahead basket to win.
Best Moment of the Game: Tyshawn Taylor converted on an acrobatic lay-up.


Follow @NetsTakeOver