Joe Netsfan Game x Game 7 - Hornets 84, Nets 82

A last minute buzz by Chris Paul turns Netsfans on their behinds

Hornet 84, Nets 82
Game 7 File
A tepid first half in the first game without Vince Carter leaves the Nets down 12, but a full-out rally puts them in a position to win with an 11 point fourth quarter lead. But, in the first display of gross incompetence, the Hornets steal away a victory on a late Chris Paul bucket after having multiple chances at keeping the lead. A large loss with the C's looming.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 4 - 3
Home Record: 3 - 3
Away Record: 1 - 0
Division Record: 1 - 2
Conf. Record: 4 - 2
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 32.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 10.
• Rebounds: Nenad Krstic, 10.
• Steals: Wright, Jefferson and Armstrong each had 2.
• Turnovers: Boki Nachbar, 5.
• Blocks: Sean Williams, 4.
• FG Percentage: Richard Jefferson, 52.2% (12 - 23).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 40.8%
• FT Percentage: 76.2%
• Rebounds: 45
• Rebound Differential: +6
• Turnovers: 14
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 16
• Bench points: 12
• Bench points Differential:+4
• Steals: 8
• Blocks: 6
• Points in the Paint: 30
• Double-Doubles: 2 (Jason Kidd: 14 points, 10 assists; Nenad Krstic: 12 points 10 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 24
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 41.7% (5 - 12).
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: -3
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: +1 (Armstrong)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 3
• 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

Hornets Media:
New Orleans Times-Picayune | Hornets

Game 7: Hornets 84, Nets 82 – November 12, 2007
Buzz Kill
Having finally sprayed the Hornets in to submission thanks to a heavy dose of Sean Williams, the Nets could put the capper on this first game without Vince Carter and take home a hard-fought, come-from-behind win. Only the Hornets had better ideas, and some help, thanks to a pesky point guard and a whole lot of late game Net fog. This second straight loss at home leaves the Nets 4- 3 on the season, and taking a trip to Boston to face the (still) undefeated Celtics on Wednesday night.

Talk about buzz kill.

The Nets came out in this one like a swarm of gnats were in their eyes, as their failure to guard the perimeter in general and Peja Stojakovich specifically cost them an early double-digit deficit. With only Richard Jefferson again to rely on, the Nets found themselves struggling to score points and unable to stop Chris Paul, and that of course led to a 12 point halftime hole. About the only major surprise, though, was an early first half appearance by Sean Williams, who provided some energy to the proceedings but little else.

But what a difference a half makes. Finding some defensive presence to start the second half, the Nets had a 30 - 16 third quarter to tighten the game and take the lead. Again it was Jefferson, along with Carter fill-in Antoine Wright (who was invisible in the first half), Nenad Krstic and Jason Kidd who found the bite taken out the the Hornets defensive sting. The Nets then kept it up in the fourth quarter behind the energy and shot-blocking of Sean Williams, who effectively shut down the paint . A 12 - 3 quarter-opening run gave the Nets an 11 point lead with only 4:48 to play, when the stings started coming on both sides of the basketball.

First, Chris Paul made a three while David West was getting fouled by Malik Allen. A 4 point play quickly cut into the Nets lead, and then a bad Kidd turnover was followed by an easy dunk for Tyson Chandler, and then after two RJ misses (a three and a dunk!) West found himself with an easy layup and this was suddenly a 3 point game in less than 2 minutes.

But it gets worse. After Wright split a pair of free throws, West made another shot, and Wright then canned a jumper to give the Nets a four point lead, the blisters started forming on the Nets from all the stings. Mo Peterson launched a three and made it, while Jason Collins made a desperate lunge at him and fouled him. Another 4 point play, this one tied the game at 82. The Nets then had a chance to take the lead, but Krstic tanked not one but two free throws. The Nets managed to get the rebound off the second miss, but then Krstic missed an ugly turnaround jumper.

Here's where it gets really interesting. WIth Sean Williams now out of the game for the experience factor, Paul drove his way down the lane and put up a floater, a shot he never would have attempted if Williams were in the game, and made it with 2.8 seconds remaining. A last-ditched attempt by Wright to make a game-tying shot fell off the front of the rim, and the Nets had themselves a bad loss.

This had nothing to do with missing Carter, although you'd like to think he could have taken a better shot than did Wright (hey, I didn't say hit it). Now, this tough loss in the books, the Nets move on to an even tougher challenge in Boston.

Stinger
Stung Repeatedly - It almost appeared as if the Nets defense was stuck on Route 17 and got to the game late. In the first quarter, Peja Stojakovich was given so many open looks, it was criminal. The Hornets went 7 - 9 from three in the first half, which largely comprised the Nets problems to that point. OH, that and Chris Paul and his magical penetrations.
Healing Power of Swat - But the Nets turned it around with an impressive showing on defense in the second half. With Sean Williams blocking 4 shots (3 in the second half) while running the floor and teaming with Kidd, this looked like a different Nets team in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, Williams was out of the game when he was needed most, and you can understand the decision of L. Frank to go with experience, but once Williams was out of the game the paint magically opened up for Paul's game winner.
Late Attack - The Nets are back to their old ways, apparently, booting away numerous chances to win this game. Instead, lack of late game execution on both ends leads to an ugly loss, a game in which the Nets appeared to have control with less than 5 minutes to play. Central in all of this was the Nets inability to figure out the late zone thrown up by the Hornets, and the inability of their two best players, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, to make plays when it was needed most. How do you foul three point shooters so late in the game? How are you bone-headed enough to do that? This is a terrible loss because the Nets suddenly get brain lock? Not a good sign.
Front And Center - No Josh Boone tonight, and more importantly, no Jamaal Magloire. Surprising considering what the Nets were dealing with, but I guess there was a reason somewhere. Don't expect Magloire to be happy about it.
Giving The Devil His Due - Nice job by Jason Collins in making David West disappear. But unfortunately, his mistakes at the end game where pretty big for a guy who's supposed to be all about the intangibles. Let's see more of Willams, and his exciting brand of shot blocking, floor running, and rookie mistakes.
The Fill-In - Antoine Wright almost managed to salvage a poor start in his first start of the season. He had a much better second half, but still he shot 4 - 14, missed several opportunities late, and at the end of the day, didn't get done what he needed to get done. Come back VC...
Leaving a Mark - The Nets are now 3 - 3 on the home court, with two more games upcoming. Not the start that anyone wanted, in this now-tough Atlantic Division...

Bee Movie
This is a bad loss, no matter how you look at it, no matter how many ways you dissect the good that will come from it. With Chris Paul slicing and dicing the Nets, the defense coming up short when it really mattered, and the overall feeling of end-game malaise that showed up unexpectedly, it's hard to imagine that things are going to get any better in the short run. Someone needs to step up and help Richard Jefferson, and it needs to be someone who can handle some responsibility. Let's see more of Sean Williams, let's see Boki or Big Cat step up, or else let's see 48 minutes of demon defense. Even with the upgrade to the roster, without Vince Carter the Nets need to play like a team on a mission. Let's see if they can make anything of the trip to Boston on Wednesday night. From there, two more home games Friday and Saturday (against the 6 - 2 Magic and the 1 - 6 Heat) before they hit the West Coast. Hold your breath, cross your fingers, things could get ugly for spell, especially if Carter winds up being out for 3 weeks.
-Joe