#Nets Updates – Backcourt Didn't Get It Done
The Nets loss last night to the Bulls was a “give-away” game that will come back to haunt them later in the season when the playoff seedings come around. The last nine possessions were abysmal to watch.
Mike Mazzeo – ESPN NY tells the story PERFECTLY
Nets coach Avery Johnson had said center Brook Lopez was going to be on a 22- to 26-minute restriction Saturday night.
So it came as no surprise when Johnson pulled Lopez off the floor with 5:37 left in the fourth quarter and the Nets leading the Chicago Bulls, 77-71.
Lopez had played about half the game while posting 18 points and 10 rebounds — nine points and six rebounds more than he posted during the same amount of action in his return to the lineup Friday night after missing seven games because of a sprained right foot.
At that point, Lopez’s night should’ve been over. The game should’ve been over, too.
Neither was. And, as a result, an encouraging performance by Lopez was overshadowed by what transpired in next 4 minutes, 25 seconds.
At that point, Lopez’s night should’ve been over. The game should’ve been over, too.
Neither was. And, as a result, an encouraging performance by Lopez was overshadowed by what transpired in next 4 minutes, 25 seconds.
Let’s take a look at the Nets’ possessions over that span:
• 5:01: Turnover, Joe Johnson
• 4:13: Missed shot, Andray Blatche
• 3:32: Missed 3-point shot, Johnson
• 2:47: Missed shot, Deron Williams
• 2:00: Williams makes two of thee free throws
• 1:30: Turnover, Blatche
In those six possessions, the Nets went 0-for-3 from the field and committed two turnovers while being outscored 6-2.
That prompted Avery Johnson to re-insert Lopez at the 1:25 mark with his team ahead by just two.
The rest of the Nets’ possessions went like this:
• 1:05: Turnover, Johnson
• 0:39: Missed shot, Lopez
• 0:06: Missed shot, Williams
• 0:00: 3-pointer, Williams
Prior to D-Will’s buzzer-beater, the Nets had nine possessions, went 0-for-5 from the field and committed three turnovers while being outscored 12-2. They lost, 83-82.
Deron Williams is shooting just 26.7 percent in the fourth quarter and making 33.3 percent of his jump shots. #Nets
Field goal percentage rankings among 62 qualified guards: Joe Johnson (42.8 percent, 32nd) and Deron Williams (38.8, 58th). #Nets
