Joe Netsfan Game x Game 46 - Nets 94, Heat 85

TCB all the way for Richard

Nets 94, Heat 85
Game 46 File
The Nets get off to a good start in the first half, and really never look back as the Heat threaten but never get it together. Some defense, some RJ, some all around play from Carter, Kidd and Boone, and the Nets have a two game winning streak.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 20 - 26
Home Record: 10 - 14
Away Record: 10 - 12
Division Record: 2 - 7
Conf. Record: 15 - 13
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 25.
• Assists: Jason Kidd, 12.
• Rebounds: Vince Carter, 11.
• Steals: Jason Kidd, 4.
• Turnovers: Jason Kidd, 4.
• Blocks: Kidd, Carter, Sean Williams and Boone each had 1.
• FG Percentage: Josh Boone, 75.0% (6 - 8).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 45.6%
• FT Percentage: 75.0%
• Rebounds: 42
• Rebound Differential: +4
• Turnovers: 13
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 17
• Bench points: 25
• Bench points Differential:-9
• Steals: 8
• Blocks: 4
• Points in the Paint: 30
• Double-Doubles: 2 (Vince Carter: 14 points, 11 rebounds; Jason Kidd: 11 points, 12 assists)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 14
• Kidd's FG Percentage: 45.5% (5 - 11)
• Scoring Differential Kidd in the game: +4
• Scoring Differential Kidd out: +5 (M. Williams)
• Double-Doubles this Season: 25
• Triple Doubles this Season: 11
• Career Triple Doubles:98

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

Heat Media:
Miami Herald | Heat
Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel | Heat

Game 46: Nets 94, Heat 85 – February 1 , 2008
Takin' Care Of Business
WWNJND? Or what would the New Jersey Nets do if their Captain ever decided it was time to move on? Apparently, correct all the blunders of the nine game losing streak, like playing defense and scoring, and put the poor Heat out of their mistery by takin' care of business. That makes two straight wins, two consecutive much-better efforts, and frankly, two Kidd-esque performances from Kidd.

Of course, the Heat were again awful, with Shaq, Udonis and Alonzo out with injury, and Dwyane Wade surprisingly ineffective (he's coming off a bout with the flu), so the Nets basically made Miami disappear by throwing them into a doozy of a 10 point second quarter. This one had its bizarre moments - the Nets opened the game strong, rang up a 23 - 14 lead after about 9 minutes, then went to sleep, allowing the Heat to close to within two to end the quarter. Then, to make things more confusing, the Nets scored a whopping 11 points in the next 10 minutes spanning the first and second quarters, only to wind up outscoring the Heat 20 - 10 in the second quarter and essentially ending any Heat threat with defense.

The Heat made several runs in the second half, getting no closer than five on several occasions, before Richard Jefferson took over and scored 12 in the third and it was just business as usual from there on. The Nets again weren't able to wipe a bad Heat team off the map, despite strong performances from Vince Carter (who was a triple double threat), Kidd (who went for 11 points and 12 assists) and Josh Boone (who had 15 points and 5 rebounds), but they know that if they have any hopes of getting past all the controversy and making the playoffs (with or without Kidd), they need to beat the teams they should beat.

This was a good start. Now off to Atlanta for the second game of this road back-to-back, for a game against the struggling Hawks. Could the Nets dare make 3 straight wins? Is there any figuring out this team?

Every Way, Every Day
Alarm Clock's Warning - Once again the Nets did everything they needed to do to win, leading all but the first two minutes of this one. The defense was better (against a team that struggles to score), the offense was better (but still can't knock a team out), the Big Three did their thing (but didn't dominate), and the hustle plays were there (the Nets came out of the shoot great for the first six minutes, they ran the floor, rebounded, played defense, but from there it was inconsistent). A good win, one that again shows that distractions (ok, one's he's made) don't affect Jason Kidd or the Nets. In fact, they probably play better when they have a cause to rally around...
People Pushin, People Shovin - Another good, effective game from Richard Jefferson, who took what the defense gave him, then forced his will on the game in the third quarter. RJ finished with 25 points, shot the ball well (11 - 19) and generally was the only Net who consistently finished. Vince Carter had a bit of a mixed bag, with a bunch of little things (like 11 rebounds and 7 assists) balancing out his 5 - 14 shooting performance and lack of aggression. He's not the scorer he was, either by choice or because of wear and tear, but he's still smarter than just about everyone on the court. And he can still bring a highlight reel every now and again, as his sky high lob dunk late proved.
And The Girls Who Try To Look Pretty - Interesting night for Jason Collins, who's been the bedrock the Nets defense was founded on, and the personal whipping boy of every Netsfan, since arriving in 2001. Collins appears all but gone, with everyone reporting that he's been traded for the Grizzlies' Stromile Swift (talk about trading rock solid for untamed confusion) and the deal will be completed on Monday. Collins was pressed into service with Malik Allen left home with the stomach flu, and Sean Williams and Josh Boone fighting foul trouble, and he responded with 6 points (and 2 made free throws) and some good, solid defense in 18 minutes. We've been harsh, and probably justifiably so, all these years, but the guy has been nothing but a stand up pro. Best of luck, bro, as Nenad Krstic is rumored to be suiting up tomorrow and you may not see the light of day again.
Love To Work At Nothing All Day - What's up with Boki Nachbar? Another horrible night offensively (and he sure ain't in there for his defense), shooting 1- 7 in 21 minutes. The Nets don't have much to count on from the bench right now (though Marcus Williams was better, with 9 points and 5 rebounds in 12 minutes). Maybe Stromile Swift can help them (or become a giant pain in the ass by complaining the first time Lawrence Frank doesn't play him at all).
If You Ever Get Annoyed - Dwyane Wade looked like a shell of his former self (despite his usuall array of highlight reel plays), because of illness and the missing comrades, you would guess. But this Heat team is a bloody mess, when Alexander Johnson is your best player on the floor, you're either horribly injured or poor (or both). Wade had 15 points 7 boards and 6 assists, but he wasn't terribly aggressive, looking to pass off instead of putting his head down (of course, the Nets defense had something to do with that too...).

Workin Overtime
Even with everything, Jason Kidd still applies his laser-like focus and gets the Nets a win. Oh, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter and Josh Boone helped, but it was Kidd who grabbed the team by the lapels and took them down into the heart of Riley, escaping with a win. Oh, it should have been much easier, and as the rumors continue to fly, much clearer, but in a season where the unexpected is the norm, and all known entities go out the window, this reaffirming two game streak (after the 9 game schneid) may be Kidd's ticket to sticking around until the off-season, where the deals may be better. Of course, then again, Kidd could be gone tomorrow (to Dallas? Chicago? Portland? LA?), so it's time to live for the moment, Netsfans. Good to get another victory, now to see the roll continue into Atlanta.
- Joe