Nets 95 – Hawks 109

The Nets did not start the game the way they wanted and immediately got behind by double digits as they shot too many jumpers in the opening minutes.  Carlesimo called timeout and obviously let them know to get the ball inside and it worked as the next 18 of 20 points came in the paint.  The Nets ended the first behind 27-20 and looked a step slow.

Offensive rebounds killed the Nets in the first half as the Hawks grabbed everything imaginable.  The lead at half was 56-40 and the Nets looked disinterested and a step behind on every possession.  Ex-Net Devin Harris was pushing the pace up and down the floor and beating Deron Williams to the punch time and time again.  Brook Lopez was the only bright spot for the Nets and it seemed like he was the only one that could shoot straight with 22 points to go with nine rebounds.

The Nets shot horrible from behind the arc and finished the game a miserable 4-26 from three and it looked worse than that.  Jeff Teague led all scorers with 28 points and 11 assists while Harris ended with 18 points and five assists.  The Nets had no answer for the up-tempo style of the Hawks all night and trailed by as many as 26 at one point.  The Hawks ended the game with six players in double figures and were able hold off a late run in the fourth by the Nets to get the victory.

Joe Johnson did not have a happy homecoming and he shot 4-15 while the Hawks double teamed and trapped him all night long.  Johnson had 15 points in 41 minutes of play.   Williams had an awful game all around and looked very lethargic from the opening tip and wound up shooting 5-18 (2-9 from 3) but did have nine assists and five rebounds to go with his 12 points.

The Nets cant win every game but they have a chance at some revenge when they face this same Hawks team Friday night at the Barclays Center.

STAT OF THE NIGHT: Hawks outscored the Nets 29-12 in fast break points and shot a season-high 57.7 percent from the field.