This is what is called a benchmark victory for the Nets who are not traveling particularly well this season. A short success on the floor of the Suns (112-116) all the more notable because, for the first time this year, the Arizona players aligned their trio Devin Booker – Kevin Durant – Bradley Beal.
If the three All-Stars overall produced a good copy on a statistical level, in addition to a radiant Jusuf Nurkic in the racket (15 points and 22 rebounds), but targeted in defense, that was not enough to contain a New York formation without complexes. And to whom danger came from almost everywhere.
Nets who had taken the match from the right end, like an untenable Mikal Bridges at the end of the first quarter, the driving force in the 13-0 inflicted to end the period. With two additional 3-point baskets from the other returner, Cam Johnson, this “run” even climbed to 19-0… Trailing by 15 points (22-37), the locals had to count on a great Devin Booker, surgical halfway, to pick up again.
Devin Booker continues but the Nets resist
What they will do in the third quarter, with a Kevin Durant well within his standards and a Bradley Beal who, without forcing, contributed to the score. On yet another “pull-up” from Devin Booker, the Suns briefly regained the upper hand (68-67) at the start of the third period. But the locals will never manage to escape permanently.
Worse, at the start of the final period, the Suns suffered the lightning of a Cam Thomas, until now very clumsy, stringing together eight points in a row (91-94). Then Spencer Dinwiddie came to support Mikal Bridges behind the arc, while Nic Claxton pulled out a nice spin move inside to win in front of Nurkic.
While the Nets' defense did what it could to channel the three-headed monster opposite, that of the Suns showed its limits in containing a New York five that was undoubtedly more balanced. Nets who did not fail to attack Nurkic, like Bridges' “fadeaway” in the racket, then Dinwiddie's new award-winning shot still in front of the Bosnian two minutes from the end.
Despite the free throw game, and a ball that was almost intercepted by Jordan Goodwin in the final moments, the Nets succeeded.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The return of the “Twins”. There was no reason for this not to be the case: the two former Suns, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, received a fitting ovation from their former fans during the broadcast of a tribute video. The two men, who follow each other everywhere, had not yet returned to Phoenix since they were transferred last February to Brooklyn in exchange for Kevin Durant.
– The weakness of the Suns bench. Several men from the bench were present when Brooklyn signed its terrible 19-0. As a result, some of them were little mobilized subsequently. And only Nassir Little had an interesting contribution, when the members of the “Big Three”, including Bradley Beal who returns from a long absence, had to play at least 34 minutes.
– The Nets in good shape. The Brooklyn players (13v-10d) cling to their 8th place in the East thanks to this success, the seventh in their last nine meetings. They even have one less defeat than the Suns (13v-11d) who occupy a modest 10th place in their conference and have only won two of their last seven games.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
