Nets win third straight; take down Hawks 91-86

Photo credit: Elsa/Getty Images

After taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Nets looked to get their winning streak to three against the third best team in the East, the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams are without their elite centers, as Brook Lopez recently had foot surgery and Al Horford had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. For the Nets, they would also be without Deron Williams, who is nursing his on-going ankle issues. Jason Kidd announced pre-game that he would not wear a tie tonight for the third straight game, and the Nets are now 3-0 when he's tieless as they took down the Hawks 91-86.

It was a slow start to the first quarter, as neither team cracked double digits until the 7:38 mark. The Nets' defense, led by Andrei Kirilenko, forced Atlanta to shoot just 38% from the field in the quarter. Kirilenko was all over the court, forcing turnovers left-and-right, passing the ball to open teammates, and playing outstanding defense. Shaun Livingston, starting in place of the injured Deron Williams, played aggressive basketball in the quarter, and got to the basket with ease. The Nets led Atlanta 27-21 after the first.

Though the Nets led almost the entire half, Atlanta would go on a huge 25-11 extended run in the second quarter, giving them a six point lead at halftime, 52-46. Brooklyn didn't hit a single shot in the final three minutes of the quarter, and that lowered their shooting percentage to just 38.1% after shooting 45% in the first quarter. Atlanta's offense picked up, led by Paul Millsap, and they increased their shooting to 41%. It was a terrible half for both teams offensively, but both teams were playing very solid defense.

Brooklyn made a huge turnaround after the half, and played a very un-Nets-like third quarter. The defensive intensity was impressive, and the effort showed as they started the quarter on an 14-0 run to regain the lead from Atlanta. They'd go on to out-score the Hawks 26-15 in the quarter led by Mirza Teletovic's hot shooting, putting up nine points on 3/4 shooting from three in the quarter alone.

The fourth quarter, much like the third, was slow to get going. The Nets' defense started to get sloppy, and they allowed Atlanta to take the lead with 6:35 left to play. Brooklyn didn't turn the ball over too much in the game, but they turned it over at the wrong moments. After Jason Kidd called a timeout when Atlanta took a one point lead, the intensity returned on the defensive side of the ball. The end of the fourth quarter is usually Joe Johnson time, but tonight it was Mirza Teletovic who hit the huge three with 44 seconds left to give the Nets a five point lead. Brooklyn would make their free throws to complete a 91-86 win over Atlanta.

Joe Johnson led the Nets with 23 points, and also dished out four assists. This was his first double-digit scoring night since Christmas day. Mirza Teletovic added 16 points on 4/9 shooting from three, while also grabbing three rebounds. Shaun Livingston put up 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. Alan Anderson would also add 14 points on 4/12 shooting.

Final Score: 91-86 NETS
Most Disappointing Stat of the Game: Nets 8/27 from three 
Promising Stat of the Game: Andrei Kirilenko 21 minutes played.
Scariest Moment of the Game: Atlanta taking a second quarter lead on a 25-11 extended run. 
Best Moment of the Game: Mirza Teletovic hitting a huge three with 44 seconds left. 

Follow @NetsTakeOver