• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

BROOKLYN, N.Y.- Saturday Night, The Brooklyn Nets faced the Dallas Mavericks in a St. Patrick’s Day showdown. Both teams are in 13th place in their respected conferences, and their playoffs chances are pretty bleak. However, this did not stop each team from putting on a show in front of fans of the Barclay’s Center. Though the record may not show it, the Brooklyn Nets have a lot of promise when they play as a team. Even in the games they lose you can see some positive factors. For example, starting point guard D’Angelo Russell who recorded 22 points and dished out 6 assists, seems to be in a groove. With this performance he has now scored 20 or more points in 3 of the last four games played.

Dirk Nowitzki warming up (Photo Credit: Ponyx Chery)
Dirk Nowitzki warming up (Photo Credit: Ponyx Chery)

Though Russell had a great outing, the Nets were able to get the win thanks to a strong team effort. With strong performances from Rondae Hollis Jefferson (23 points, five rebounds and four assists) and DeMarre Carrol who picked up is 12th double-double of the season (19 points and 12 rebounds), the Nets put themselves in a great position to get the win. However, what truly got them the win was clutch defense.

For majority of the game the Nets had the lead even coming out the gate with an 11-0 lead in the first quarter. But, thanks to the play of Dallas’ star rookie Dennis Smith Jr.  who scored 21 points and handed out 5 assists and others the Mavs found themselves still competing and was able to erase a 14-point lead. Dallas’ guard and forward Yogi Ferell(12 points and 12 assists) and Dwight Powell(18  points and 5 rebounds) also help cut into the Nets lead towards the end of the 2nd  quarter. The score going into half time was 59-56 in the Net’s favor. But after a quick 8-2 run the Mavericks where able to get their first lead of the game. Unfortunately, during a drive late in the 3rd quarter Smith Jr. got injured and ending up leaving the game.

Brooklyn facing what seem to be another second half collapse showed their resiliency by overcoming a 10-point deficit and was able to listen to “get stops.” The Nets limited Dallas to only 17 points in the fourth quarter. Also kept their shooting to 7-of-20 from the field.

russell pregame croped

Brooklyn look to build off this win as they face the Marc Gasol and the Memphis Grizzles. This will be the second game in a short 3-game home stand. As the end of the season near and tanking seeming to not be an option, the Nets will need to continue this sort of play to put themselves in the best positions to win.

By Ponyx Chery

Ponyx Chery, Long Island University Journalism Major. My interest are sneaker collection, writing Poems listing to music and following College and NBA Basketball.

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