Joe Netsfan Game x Game 38 - Knicks 111, Nets 105

The Nets choke down a loss, thanks to Nicky Knicksfan

Knicks 111, Nets 105
Game 38 File
The Nets play a near perfect first quarter and take a 16 point lead, but then Jamal Crawford and the Knicks get stuck in their craw and the Nets watch NY take a 15 point lead in the fourth. A big comeback is wasted when Crawford cans two big shots late, the Nets fail to execute, and the losing streak hits 3 as the Nets head to the Left Coast.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 18 - 20
Home Record: 9 - 14
Away Record: 9 - 6
Division Record: 2 - 7
Conf. Record: 13 - 13
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 26.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 17.
• Rebounds: Josh Boone, 12.
• Steals: Vince Carter, 2.
• Turnovers: Kidd and Jefferson each had 2.
• Blocks: S Williams and Collins each had 1.
• FG Percentage: Sean Williams, 70.0% (7 - 10).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 47.0%
• FT Percentage: 64.5%
• Rebounds: 43
• Rebound Differential: +5
• Turnovers: 16
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 16
• Bench points: 13
• Bench points Differential:-10
• Steals: 5
• Blocks: 2
• Points in the Paint: 44
• Double-Doubles: 2 (Jason Kidd: 10 points, 17 assists; Josh Boone: 18 points, 12 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 5
• Nets Fast Break Points: 9
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 44.4% (4 - 9)
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: -8
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: +2 (Armstrong)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 22
• Triple Doubles this Season: 10
• Career Triple Doubles:97

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Knicks Media:
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New York Times | Pro Basketball

Game 38: Knicks 111, Nets 105 – January 16, 2008
Stuck In Their Craw
No, that wasn't a hairball the Nets choked up after a very impressive first quarter against the Knicks. Something got stuck in their craw, though, and it came from the shooting hands of Jamal Crawford, who first led a Knick feast on New Jersey defense in the second, third and fourth quarter, then satisfied Nicky Knicksfan's appetite for a win with two killer shots after the Nets loaded up once again on New York's dime. A totally confusing loss, one that gives the Nets a third straight defeat on the eve of the longest road trip of the season, and a game the Nets once again should have won, but didn't.

Where do we begin with this one? How about a huge serving of energy from the opening tip, in which head waiter Jason Kidd collected 10 assists in the first quarter, feeding Sean Williams and Vince Carter as the Nets kept the Knicks off-balance, in foul trouble and with a large stomach ache. The first ended 33 - 18 Nets, and they would push the lead as high as 16 points in the first four minutes of the second quarter.

And then, just like a chair being pulled out from under their collective asses, they stopped being aggressive, started settling for one-and-done jumpers, and inexplicably forgot how to defend minutes after doing so with gusto. This feast of offense became a comedy of obesity, as the Knicks began to pound the ball inside to Zach Randolph or Eddie Curry, opening the oven for Jamal Crawford to do his microwave thing. A 16 point lead very quickly became a three point halftime edge, and it was far from being cooked just yet.

The third quarter? Suffice it to say the Nets showed up for the cocktail, then missed the appetitzer and the main course completely. With the same three Knicks (that would be Crawford, Randolph and Curry) plus professional midget pest Nate Robinson stirring the soup, the Knicks just kept attacking, the Nets kept shrinking (or at least leaving open their man), and even when the shots were odd or badly taken, they seemed to go in. The Nets were shooting better than 50%, and still looking at the wrong side of what became a 15 point hole early in the fourth because they couldn't get one stop nor could they make their free throws. Again, an oddly played game for New Jersey.

To put it in perspective - the Nets went up 43 - 27 at the 7:45 mark of the second quarter. From there until the 9:04 mark of the fourth quarter, the Knicks outscored the Nets 67 - 36.

Because, with just about all hope lost, the main meal overdone, the Nets found something laying on the kitchen counter - Josh Boone. Already having a nice game (despite the interior poking by the Knicks), Boone lit the pilot light of the Nets offense again by converting two straight three point plays (meaning he made free throws!) and that sparked the Nets on a 18 - 3 run to tie the game at 97 with less than four minutes to go. Finally, something was brewing again for New Jersey.

The Nets took their first lead since the 50's (the score, not the decade) with Richard Jefferson's layup and then tip in with 2:40 to go, and it looked like the Nets had all the dry goods to bake up a win. But there was some spoiling of the victory milk to be done. After RJ split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 100, the Nets saw Crawford nail a difficult jumper over Kidd, using the backboard for added measure. After Sean Williams was fouled and calmly sunk two free throws to make it 102-all, Crawford came right down the court, moved to his right behind the three point line, and before he was even set (and Kidd could get over a pick) he launched what looked like an awkward shot that went high in the air.

And he nailed it, giving the Knicks a 105 - 102 lead they wouldn't relinquish. End game failure was rampant, because the Nets had three straight shots at a bucket before Kidd missed on a three, RJ fouled Randolph, and the free throw bake-off was on.

Again, a game the Nets should have won based on their opening play, the fact that they were desperate for a win before the long trip, and the fact that they have lost two (now three) games to the Knicks this year. To let them off the hook, not break their cookies at home, is inexecusable. But it says a lot about the state of this Nets squad 38 games into the season.

Gag Reflex
Choke Point – Do I need to cover the basic premise of this one? Energy and activity for a good, solid quarter plus, then a complete turnaround to lethargy, settling, and dare I say lack of concern? Then, when it's down to the wire, turn on the jets and try to fly under the radar well enough to win? Well, that mountain came out of nowhere in the form of Jamal Crawford, who's killed the Nets in all three meetings (and thus you wonder why they couldn't guard him man-to-man better than they did) and stuck that dagger in the Nets attempts at an end game comeback closeout. Falling behind by double digits again, at home, a pattern that continues without end. Missing free throws (20 of 31, imagine what things could have been like if the Nets had made 5 more) that come back to haunt. And that's just the basics, friends. This is a team that is as confused as it is confusing.
Cooking With Gas – Ok, to be fair, let's not completely overlook that first quarter. The Nets actually attacked the rim, Kidd finding Sean Williams on four of the first five scores (and giving him easy looks at that) and helping Carter get out of the much he's been stuck in the past five games, all leading to the big lead. And, getting the bigs into foul trouble (with both Randolph and Curry exiting less than 7 minutes into it) helped open up the space the Nets needed to work and take advantage of the Knicks with. Defensively, it was good intent, with 6 Knick turnovers and a host of hustle plays to force bad shots. It was the highest scoring first quarter of the season (33 points), masterfully orchestrated by Kidd.
Eating Poorly –This was a game for the starters, which also meant that it was no game for the subs to excel in. Mainly because they couldn't, as the malaise of bad jumpers early in the shot clock and awkward defense started on their watch. In fact, the worst offender might have been Boki Nachbar, who finished - 14 and always seemed to be a step or maybe two slow all evening.
Boone's Farm Going Down Smooth - Not only did Josh Boone go 18 and 12 tonight, with a few huge rebounds late, but he made 4 of 6 free throws after working briefly with Kiki Vanderweighe the other day. Boone was impressive, even when doing battle with the likes of Randolph (who mostly shot over him) and Curry (who bulled through him). He'll only get better defensively, so be patient. (Oh, and let's also mention here that Jason Collins went 2- 2 from the line tonight - there is hope...).
Stomach Turning - The Nets kept the turnovers to a minimum early, but no surprise things unraveled when they started turning it over at a more rapid clip in the second and third quarters. They finished with 16, which actually isn't bad for the Nets this season, but they need to better keep a handle on that basketball.
Area 51 Snack Stand - Sean Williams had a typical up and down night - he was a force early with 10 first quarter points, eating the Knicks forf lunch, but found himself in foul trouble for much of the rest of the night, especially when the Knicks were making their run. He needs to find a way to stay on the floor more than 20 minutes when his team desperately needs his athleticism, which is on most nights.
Brain Food - I'll state the obvious - the Knicks are a much better TEAM without Stephon Marbury. Even though Crawford really isn't a point, he was steady with the ball on both ends for 45 minutes, and the Knicks seem to know he's thinking team all the way. Maybe Starbury can retire with his ill-gotten millions...
Atlantic Suckfish - The Nets are now 2 - 7 against their Atlantic Division foes so far this year...

Food-Borne Illness
Face it, Netsfans - the team you love to be confounded over brings it upon themselves, especially at home. Thanks to a whole serving of Jamal Crawford, plus Zach Randolph, Eddie Curry, Nate Robinson and others, the Nets again fell behind double digits, but after they went ahead by sixteen, which cannot happen to a team headed somewhere. The lack of energy that ensued after the first quarter, and the ease at which they fell out of their offensive rhythm is disturbing enough, but to watch the complete lack of defensive intensity is just flat out wrong. Falling back into bad habits acquired early in the season, 38 games in, is as perplexing as anything. Motivational issues aside, how does this Nets team not get up for the Knicks for 48 minutes in their own building? And these home losses, which continue to mount, boggle the mind as well. For all those of you Netsfans out there that feel like the ship will right itself, well, don't be too sure this season won't turn into getting the younger crowd some minutes and some experience in search of something better next year. Do we start thinking fire sale now, with GM's around the league knowing the Nets will want to start moving some salaries and looking to take advantage of Rod Thorn (who's way too smart for that sort of thing, in any case)? Off to the West Coast then, with plenty of things to ponder...
- Joe