Brooklyn Nets:Leading up to the game against the Sixers at the Barclay’s Center, shooting guard Joe Johnson had been battling an illness over the past few days. Although he may not have felt like himself at the beginning of the game, the end result would prove otherwise. Johnson led the Nets past their Atlantic Division opponent, by hitting 10 three-pointers and finishing the game with a complete stat line of 37 points, seven rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block. In fact, after hitting his final three-pointer of the night on a fade-away shot, as he was being fouled by James Anderson with 27 seconds left in the third quarter, he had a chance to go after the record of 12 three-pointers hit in a single game in NBA history. However, in the ultimate act of team devotion, Johnson would elect to sit out the entire fourth quarter and allow his other teammates a chance to see the floor. Speaking about the individual record held by Kobe Bryant and Donyell Marshall, Johnson said, “I wasn’t worried about it. Most importantly I wanted to try to keep guys healthy and get some of the other guys a chance to play.”
Brooklyn has now won four of their past five games. The return of Deron Williams and Paul Pierce has really helped bring the team together. Williams had a double-double against Philadelphia, dishing out 13 assists and scoring 13 points of his own. Pierce came off the bench, as he continues to be the anchor of the second unit, and put up 14 points and grabbed five boards. Andray Blatche has also provided a lift off the bench, as he finished this game with 20 points and five rebounds. The backup center now has scored at least 20 points in the Nets last three contests. Shooting guard James Anderson was the high-scorer for the Sixers with 17 points, as they were without rookie sensation Michael Carter-Williams for a seventh consecutive game because of a skin infection.
While the Nets seem to be on the upswing, now that they are healthy, they will find out where they stand as a team beginning on December 23rd, when they host the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers. They will follow that game in a noon tip-off against the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day from the Barclays Center. After playing the Milwaukee Bucks at home, Brooklyn will then have a three game road trip against the Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Taking it one game at a time though, the Nets will next face the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm in Brooklyn.
Notes: Starting center Brook Lopez missed a second straight game because of a sprained ankle. Mirza Teletovic made his first career start in Lopez’s place, contributing 11 points and five rebounds.
Forward Andrei Kirilenko, who has been out for 20 consecutive games because of lingering back spasms, said he would like to return to the team before the Nets begin a three game road trip on December 28th. “I’m planning on playing then, but we don’t know how it’s going to go, but I’d like to play [in one of those home games around Christmas time],” Kirilenko told ESPN New York’s Mike Mazzeo.
Brooklyn set a franchise record by hitting 21 out of 35 three-pointers.
Gregory Aaron:PureSportsNY