Joe Netsfan Game x Game 5 - Nets 87, Wiz 85

Ugly game, but a pretty looking W

Nets 87, Wiz 85
Game 5 File
A putrid start for the Nets finds them down 20 early in the second against the Wiz, but then Kidd, Carter and Jefferson go to work. Whittling down the lead to manageable five at the half, NJ toughs it out and wins it on two RJ free throws and a tough last stand against Gilbert Arenas.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 4 - 1
Home Record: 3 - 1
Away Record: 1 - 0
Division Record: 1 - 1
Conf. Record: 4 - 1
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 25.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 10.
• Rebounds: Jamaal Magloire, 12.
• Steals: Vince Carter, 2.
• Turnovers: Jefferson, Carter and Magloire each had 3.
• Blocks: Vince Carter, 2.
• FG Percentage: Carter and Jefferson each shot , 46.2% (6 - 13).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 38.9%
• FT Percentage: 87.1%
• Rebounds: 39
• Rebound Differential: +2
• Turnovers: 17
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 15
• Bench points: 30
• Bench points Differential:+13
• Steals: 5
• Blocks: 5
• Points in the Paint: 18
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 3
• Nets Fast Break Points: 7
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 22.2% (2 - 9).
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: +5
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: -3 (Armstrong)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 1
• Triple Doubles this Season: 1
• Career Triple Doubles: 88

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
Newsday | Nets
NY Daily News | NBA
NY Post | Nets
NY Times | Pro Basketball
YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
CNNSI.com | Nets
ESPN.com | Nets
FoxSports | Nets
NBA.com | Nets
Sportsline.com | Nets

Wiz Media:
Washington Post | Wizards

Game 5: Nets 87, Wizards 85 – November 8, 2007
Just Win, Baby
Winning ugly is getting to be a habit with the '07 - '08 Nets. How else can you explain an early 20 point deficit, sub-30% first half shooting while defending your opponent to 50%+ shooting, and 11 turnovers before the break against an 0 - 3 team and STILL you win the game? Behind two Richard Jefferson free throws, the Nets once again grind out an ugly win, and with a 4 -1 start that matches the Nets best ever, they now face the thunder and lightning of the Boston Celtics on Saturday night.

First this one, though. With their star Gilbert Arenas still gimpy with knee troubles and playing sub-par, the Wiz burst out of the gate like desperate pretty boys and took it to the Nets from the opening tip. Faster and smarter early, the Wiz took a 16- 2 lead before the Nets knew what hit them. Fumbling, stumbling and missing shots, it was 20 points five minutes into the second quarter when two big things changed the look of this one: the Nets threw up a zone defense to cool down the hot-shooting Wiz, and Vince Carter decide to take over the game. With Carter scoring the first five points of a quarter closing 19 - 6 run, and 10 of the 19 coming on free throws as the Nets started earning their way, the Nets woke up and cut the lead to five points at the break.

And with that came a second half wrestling match between two teams who certainly know each other well. A slow-starting Richard Jefferson took over where Carter left off, and the two combined for 17 of the 21 points the Nets scored in the quarter, earning their living from the free throw line. With the Wiz clinging to a one point advantage, it was time for the Nets to get some separation.

Briefly, they got it, as Bok Nachbar hit two consecutive threes to pull the Nets ahead, and then another three plus a layup that gave the Nets a four point edge. But the Wiz would not be denied, and with Caron Butler making two tough shots and Arenas adding a jumper, the game was now the Wizards by two. And here's where the story once again remains consistent - the end game.

Richard Jefferson hit a long three pointer off a busted play, then Carter jumped a pass intended for Jamison and scored on a driving layup. Arenas then missed a bad three pointer, and Jefferson scored in traffic through the lane with a foul and free throw to give the Nets a six point lead with 1:53 to play. Time for that prevent offense, and as the Wiz reeled off 6 straight points around 3 pathetic Net possessions (a bad, too quick RJ three, an RJ jumper in which he was open but again too quick, and a bad Kidd three), the last coming on two Arenas free throws, the Nets were then left with 39 seconds to make something happen. It started with a Kidd three pointer that missed, but with RJ finding room to sweep in and grab the rebound and get fouled. Who's more automatic than RJ right now? No one - RJ canned the two freebies, then this one ended with an awkward, running leaner from the corner by Arenas that Antoine Wright had played perfectly. The ball missed badly, and the ugly win was secured.

Now, to thoughts of green. Celtic green.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Hit With The Ugly Stick - Once again, not a lot to be proud of with this one. Too many turnovers, too many bad shots early in the shot clock, too many open shooters on defense, and a horrible, horrible first half (or most of it, anway) in which the Nets appeared to be sluggish. No, make that sleepwalking. L. Frank did a good job tonight sticking with the personnel that were going to get it done, and get it done they did.
Overcoming - Having said all that, though, kudos to the Nets early this season for finding ways to overcome the ugliness. A strong second half helped to erase a bad first quarter-plus, and instead of it getting worse like in the Toronto game, the Nets found the energy and fight to come back and get the win. That's how you win in the NBA - no one cares how you got there, just that you did (look at last year's Cavs team for that lesson).
Line Drawings - Nothing ugly about getting to the free throw line when you can't get shots to fall. Tonight, the Nets got things started with free throws - namely Vince Carter, who was again struggling with his shot at the time. So off the the line he went, making 12 - 14 and giving his jumper new life. A huge second half for VC. And Richard Jefferson was again stellar, going 12 - 12 from the line and recovering from a frigid - 4 start from the field. RJ had 25 points, 12 on free throws (he put himself into 5th place on the Nets all-time scoring list), VC had 24 points, and you can't underestimate how large those points were.
Sloppy Seconds - Actually, despite all the ugliness, there were strong performances from the bench players lucky enough to be part of it all. Antoine Wright was again good on both ends of the floor, Boki Nachbar recovered from a bad start to get 14 points, including some huge shots in the fourth, Jamaal Magloire played 28 minutes (double more than any other center) and grabbed 12 huge rebounds and a +28 rating, plus made it tough in the middle, and both Darrell Armstrong and Malik Allen were strong in the limited minutes they played. Hell, even Sean Williams looked good on his bucket.
Jump Right On It - The Nets again lost the opening tip. Not that it means anything other than Jason Collins can't jump. And from the center position tonight, the Nets got 6 points (4 by Krstic), 15 rebounds, 8 fouls and perhaps worst of all, a combined -6 plus minus rating (if Magloire was +28, then Krstic was -13 and Collins was -21. Ouch).

Winning Ugly Is Still Winning
It hasn't been Shakespeare, the '76 Yankees or even the 2002 Nets, but still the Nets are off to a 4 - 1 start thanks to a lot of Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd, plus Antoine Wright, Jamaal Magloire and Boki Nachbar. This team has been using almost all of its pieces to win ballgames, and with a veteran's experience, has managed to close out three close ones in the last week down the stretch. The Wizards probably should have won this one, but that's why you play all 48 minutes. Next up, however, is a team that the Nets can't afford to fall deeply into a hole with - the Boston Celtics. Should be a wild ride at the Izod Center on Saturday night.
-Joe