• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

The Nets entered this preseason game with a 1-3 record. They played the young Philadelphia 76ers. The key match up today was the 7-year veteran Book Lopez matching up against the highly coveted first round draft pick Jahlil Okafor from Duke University.

 

The Nets went to Brook early and often in the game. They went to him on the first 2 possessions of the game. Brook scored on both possessions with the rookie guarding him. Brook had a dominant first half. He finished the first half with a stat line that belonged to a 7-year vet with a rookie guarding him, 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Okafor had 12 points and 4 rebounds at the half. He played well however he picked up 3 fouls in the first half.

 

The Nets also had great contributions from Thaddeus Young who seemed to have his hand in quite a few plays. He finished the half with 7 points, 7 rebounds and disrupted the play of second year player Nerlens Noel who had just 3 points and 5 rebounds at the half.

 

The Nets also got some good play off the bench. Justin Harper had 7 points and 3 rebounds at the half. While newly acquired Shane Larkin kept the team flowing offensively while Jarret Jack was on the bench resting.

 

The Nets were down by 11 early in the half but a second quarter surge gave them a 49-47 lead at the intermission. They would then lead by 13 early in the third with a strong start from their starters. Thaddeus Young had 8 points, 2 steals and 2 rebounds in the period. Joe Johnson also woke up at the beginning of the 3rd period, scoring 6 points, dishing out 4 assists and pulling down 2 rebounds.

 

The story of this game was clearly the play of the big men for both teams. Brook was dominant throughout he finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Okafor finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds while Nerlens had a double double finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Okafor an Noel do look like they have jelled well. They played well together. In the 3rd quarter Noel finished a lovely alley-oop from Okafor.

With the departure of Deron Williams the Nets will need more offensive production from Joe Johnson, Jarret Jack and Thaddeus Young. It will have to be a nightly team effort as they look to get back to the playoffs again this year.

 

The Nets won the game 92-91 and are now 2-3 in the preseason. Their next and final preseason game is on the road against the Boston Celtics tomorrow.

Twitter: sherman@shermangmz1

Email: shermangmz1@gmail.com

Photo Credit: Anthony Gruppuso USA Today

By Sherman Gomez

"Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller." "Last week messed around and got a triple double." I write about basketball sometimes and then I try to go play....

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