Even with out Cam Thomas and the luxurious of a wholesome heartthe Nets recovered from an early 17-point deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 116-115 Tuesday at Barclays Middle. A balanced scoring effort, fueled by a season-high 34 factors from veteran ahead Cam Johnson, was sufficient to outlast the relentless guests down the stretch.
With the Nets clinging to a 109-108 lead with two minutes remaining, Trendon Watford, making his second look of the season off the bench, scored seven straight factors to place them up 116-111 at 38, 9 seconds left. It was a three-point sport with 5.5 seconds left, however a three-pointer by Charlotte’s Brandon Miller failed as time expired. Watford led all Nets reserves with 10 factors within the victory.
“Actually, the adrenaline was via the roof,” Watford stated.
“I observed some mismatches and I simply needed to make the most of it, whether or not I used to be in a position to double them or no matter, however I simply needed to be aggressive and simply make performs, and I am completely satisfied [Coach] trusted me with that.
Ending a season-worst three-game dropping streak towards Charlotte, Brooklyn (6-9) earned its sixth win of the season and first of the 2024 Emirates NBA Cup. It’s now 1-1 within the East Group A and can play its subsequent NBA Cup sport Friday towards the Philadelphia 76ers on the Wells Fargo Middle.
“You do not begin effectively, however then you definitely win the final two quarters, you give your self an opportunity and also you win an vital sport,” stated head coach Jordi Fernandez. “Cup match, every little thing, nice setting, followers, all that, actually enjoyable sport.”
The shorthanded Nets discovered themselves down 22-9 from the beginning. Charlotte made 8 of 12 on 3-pointers within the first quarter and had a 14-point lead coming into the second. That benefit grew to 17 factors with 10:05 left within the first half.
However there was nonetheless an excessive amount of basketball to play. Fernandez’s Nets by no means stopped combating, finally channeling higher efforts on each ends of the court docket and rallying again. A Jalen Wilson three with 1:42 left within the first half lower Brooklyn’s deficit to 2, though they finally went into the locker room at halftime with 5 factors.
Johnson led all scorers within the first half with 16 factors. After giving up 37 factors on a 68.4 % fee within the first quarter, the Nets held Charlotte to only 22 factors on a 32 % fee within the second and outscored them by 9 factors.
“They know the beginning wasn’t good,” Fernandez stated. “Our physique was not good. We have been giving them an excessive amount of cushion. Our ball strain was low, after which they have been doing what they do finest… They shoot the three very effectively, they shoot loads of them, they usually have excellent shooters. And we have been punished for not beginning off on the precise foot. However then loads of our guys bounced again, and that is a great factor.
Again-to-back kills from behind the arc by Wilson and Dorian Finney-Smith gave the Nets their first lead of the evening, 60-59, with 10:49 left within the third quarter. They continued to do the identical over the following 4 minutes and constructed an 11-point lead, nevertheless it was solely a brief separation, because the Hornets scored 12 factors off six Brooklyn turnovers to take a two-point lead , 87-85, within the match. closing body.
With Thomas out, Watford stepped up as Brooklyn desperately wanted to get nearer down the stretch. Miller led Charlotte with 29 factors and All-Star guard LaMelo Ball was held to 12 factors on 3-of-13 taking pictures.
All 5 Nets starters completed in double figures, together with Ben Simmons and Wilson, who scored 10 and 17 factors, respectively. Wilson, who shot 5 of 8 from deep, set a brand new profession excessive for 3-pointers made in a sport.
“I used to be simply taking pictures there,” Wilson stated. “After which after the match I noticed I’d in all probability by no means achieved that earlier than. It was cool to do.
And Johnson is enjoying elite basketball nowadays. His 34 factors on Tuesday have been probably the most he has scored in a Nets uniform. After having simply six video games with at the very least 20 factors final season, he already has six in his first 15 appearances this season. Brooklyn additionally had its fourth sport with at the very least 30 assists (31) this season.
“We knew we’d have a chance to come back again,” Johnson stated. “When this chance introduced itself, I feel we have been prepared.”
