Bucks 111 – Nets 113 OT

Nets came out with energy which is good coming off the break. Brook Lopez continued what he started in the first half and hit for seven points and grabbed three rebounds while blocking 2 first quarter shots. The Nets hit 4-out of- 5 of their 3-pointers and shot 45 percent from the field with good ball movement. Nets dominated the glass 13-7 and held the Bucks in check with their quick backcourt. Deron Williams had seven points and dished four assists to lead the attack. The Nets ended the first up 31-24 and only turned the ball over two times. Good start.

MarShon Brooks looked for his offense early but missed his free throws and the Bench Mob looked a bit shaky.  Mike Dunleavy got hot early in the second for Bucks and hit a few jumpers. Andray Blatche looked engaged and began a 7-0 spurt with great defense and the Nets led 42-33.   Starters came back with six minutes to play and brought the lead to double digits 50-39.  Lopez was unstoppable inside and punished the Bucks big men and got the lead to 15 points. The Bucks made a late run to end the half and got it to 61-51 at half. Nets shot 52 percent at half and had 16 assists.  Good half for Nets with Lopez getting 13,  Joe Johnson scoring 10 and Williams dropped 12 points with five assists.

The Bucks came out with a 12-6 run behind dumb Nets turnovers and missed easy shots.  Brandon Jennings hit a few jumpers and brought the Bucks back to tie it at 73.  Williams turned it over three straight times and they lead to easy baskets. Another horrible Nets third quarter was hard to watch. Jennings ran off six straight shots and dropped 16 third quarter points. The Nets turned it over six times in the third and looked over-matched after scoring 61 in the first half. Lopez tried to keep the Nets in it by himself while the backcourt looked horrendous.  Nets were outscored 30-19 and the Nets trailed 81-80 after three.

More turnovers to start the fourth, now up to 14 and counting. No defense being played by Brooklyn as they allow the Bucks to extend the lead.  Blatche came in a s gave the Nets some good time but they couldn’t stop Jennings. Bungling defensive plays allowed Milwaukee to grab rebounds that two Nets defenders had but fought over.  The game was getting away from the Nets but somehow they stayed within  94-92 with six to play.  Blatche stayed in for Lopez and helped the Nets get back and get it to 103-100. with 6.7 remaining after a horrible offensive fouls on Williams which led to two free throws.  Joe Johnson came up HUGE again and hit a 3-pointer off multiple screens and tied it at 103 and brought it to OT.

[blockquote]P.J. – Joe has been doing it his whole career. Joe obviously delivered twice but the other guys did a god job with the execution and putting him in position, particularly the three at the end of regulation, and then the play at the end was well executed. [/blockquote]

The Nets hit a three to start the overtime and then allowed the Bucks to score the next six points with Lopez missing three straight shots.  The Nets missed again but the rebound came out to Keith Bogans and he hit a if 3-pointer to tie it at 111 with .44 seconds to play.  Game was still tied with .10 to go when Joe “Clutch” Johnson hit another walk off game winner with a pull up from the foul line as time expired. Wow! 113-111

Johnson led the Nets with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists. Lopez had 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. Williams had 19 points and nine assists while Blatche helped with 14 and Watson had 11.

GAME CHANGER: Keith Bogans hit a 3-pointer in the overtime session that tied it for the Nets after they had four straight bad possessions.  That shot then allowed Johnson to hit the game-winner after the Nets made another stop.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Nets bench outscored the Bucks 44-15 to help them end a 13 game drought against the Bucks.  The Nets have also won 10 straight games in overtime.