Nets 93 – Hawks 80

The Hawks start off 5-of-6 for an 11-1 run behind six points by ex-net Johan Petro.  Nets turned it over early once again. Nets on a 6-0 run to make it 11-7.  With a quick 11-2 run, Nets cut the Hawks lead to 4 pts, 13-9 midway one.   Gerald Wallace threw down a monster dunk to get the Nets to within 15-14.  High FG% early in this game. Hawks are shooting well at 60% (9-15) and Nets are shooting 50% (6-12).  Andray Blatche played well and helped the Nets to a tie at 23 after one.

Bench Mob started the second with Joe Johnson left on the floor.  Blatche has been picking Hawks pockets, racking up 3 steals while keying the Nets defense. Nets lead Hawks 34-27 midway second. Jeff Teague misses another jumper, shooting 0-3 FGs. He’s beeen missing with the few shots he’s taken. Hawks losing 48-35, late second. Deron Williams drained a couple of 3-pointers and made some nice moves to the hoop to help the Nets go into halftime with a 51-37 lead. Williams led the Nets 12 points and three assists.

[blockquote]P.J. on the Nets defense – “I think a little bit of everything but the focus was good this morning and right from the beginning of the game till the end of then game it was great. When you are that focused good things happen.”[/blockquote]

With a quick 8-1 run, Nets took a 59-40 lead against Hawks.  Nets were out-shooting Hawks, 22-39 (56%) to 18-45 (40%)  led by  Williams, who’s hit 4-8 (2-5 3pt).  Nets are dominating inside!  They’ve got 24 points in the paint vs 13 points for Hawks, led by Wallace with 3 layups, a dunk and a free throw.  Brook Lopez scored 14 points in the quarter to help the Nets extend the lead to 76-57 after three.

Nets dominated the boards. They’ve got 44 rebounds (15 off 29 def) vs 31 rebounds (13 off 18 def) for Hawks. Reggie Evans leads with 9 rebounds.  Blatche has been picking Hawks pockets, racking up 4 steals while keying the Nets defense. Nets are winning 80-59, early fourth.  Benches cleared shortly after that and the game ended with the Nets putting together a great defensive game to win 93-80.

LEADERS:
Points – Lopez & Blatche 18

Rebounds – Lopez & Evans 9

Assists – Williams 6

GAME CHANGER: Brook Lopez opened up the lead and the game with a nice 14 point third quarter to help the Nets not fall into that “third quarter conundrum” tonight.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Nets only had 11 turnovers in this game and forced 18 from the Hawks.