Nets 99 –  Bobcats 78

The Nets went down low to start the game to their bigs while the Bobcats went on an early 16-2 run to lead 16-6 forcing a Nets timeout. Not good.  Back to back 3-pointers by Deron Williams and Keith Bogans helped the Nets get back into it 18-12 with five to play in first. Nets started 2-9 from the field.  Mirza Teletovic and MarShon Brooks saw early action in the first with new rotation. Nets had five early turnovers again.  The Nets went on a 13-2 run after bringing Teletovic and Bogans in. Bobcats still shooting 68.4 percent in the quarter, lead 27-22.  Nets hit five threes in the first to stay in game after one – Bobcats lead 29-26.

The Bench Mob along with Gerald Wallace started the second.  Bobcats are out-shooting Nets, 16-25 (64%) to 9-21 (42%). They’re led by Gerald Henderson, who’s started out 3-6 (0-2 3pt) to lead 40-35.  Firing away from beyond the arc here early. Nets already took 11 treys (6-11 3FG) and Bobcats have taken 7 treys (2-7 3FG).  Bad all around play by Brooklyn with 11 turnovers with four to play in second. Nets down 47-27 to the hapless Bobcats and don’t look good on defense. Nets got frustrated and received two technical’s in the second.  Nets down 53-43 at half behind seven whole points from Williams and putrid defense allowing Charlotte to shoot 50 percent.

[blockquote]P.J. – We played defense in the second half and we didn’t play defense in the first half. Passion not effort. Gerald’s defense was unbelievable and he had I don’t know how many blocks. We just defended so must better in the second half. [/blockquote]

The Nets ran off to an 10-2 run to start the third behind the Big 3’s lead.  The defense looked more engaged and so did Williams with two 3-pointers to lead the Nets to a 21-6 run and a 64-59 lead with five to play in third.  The Nets started out 9-for-13 and hit seven straight field goals while Wallace roamed the paint with great defense.  Joe Johnson came alive with his jumpshot for 10 quick points after half.  This is a different team that came out of halftime.  Lopez hit a few and the Nets got rolling and they didn’t look back.  The Bobcats shot miserably in the third and scored a lowly nine points to the Nets 28 to give the lead to the Nets 71-62 after three quarters of play.  Williams and Johnson lead the comeback with 18 points in the quarter.

Reggie Evans continues his domination on the glass with 16 rebinds already to go with an incredible six points with nine to play.      Williams hits another trey. He stays hot with assists, 5 pts and a trey in the last five min. Nets are winning 76-62, early fourth.  Nets kept defensive pressure on and extended the lead to 87-72 with just over five to play.   Nets are dominating from 3-pt land. They’ve shot 11-23 (47%) from three vs 4-16 (25%) for Bobcats. Williams 4-6 from three and Johnson 5-8 from beyond the arc. Nets put this game away with great shooting in the second half outscoring the Bobcats 56-25 to win going away 99-78.

[blockquote]P.J. – It was a big win more so because we got down a bunch of points twice. We stepped it up defensively and didn’t substitute as much in the second half because those guys were defending.[/blockquote]

LEADERS:
Points – Johnson 22

Rebounds – Evans 16

Assists – Williams 8

GAME CHANGER: Deron Williams and Joe Johnson scored 18 points in the third quarter to lead the comeback and outscore the Bobcats 28-9.

STAT OF THE GAME: The Nets had 24 turnovers but outrebounded Charlotte 49-29 and outscored the Bobcats 56-25 in the second half.