Joe Netsfan Game x Game 65 - Nets 104,Cavs 99

Swatting The Cavs at home

Nets 104, Cavs 91
Game 65 File
The biggest first quarter of the season boosts the Nets to a big lead, and they have just enough left in the tank to withstand a home invasion by LeBron James. This strong performance at home breaks the six game losing streak and gives Netsfans hope that there still may be something for NJ to play for.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 27 - 38
Home Record: 16 - 17
Away Record: 11 - 21
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 20 - 18
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Richard Jefferson, 24.
• Assists: Carter and Jefferson each had 6.
• Rebounds: Vince Carter, 8.
• Steals: Devin Harris, 4.
• Turnovers: Devin Harris, 5.
• Blocks: Vince Carter, 2.
• FG Percentage: Krstic and Boone each shot 71.4% (5 - 7).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 51.3%
• FT Percentage: 76.9%
• Rebounds: 36
• Rebound Differential: -7
• Turnovers: 13
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 18
• Bench points: 24
• Bench points Differential:-14
• Steals: 9
• Blocks: 5
• Points in the Paint: 34
• Double-Doubles: 0
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 3
• Nets Fast Break Points: 16
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 57.1% (8 - 14)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: +15
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -11 (M. Williams)

Nets Media
Bergen Record | Nets
Newark Star-Ledger | Nets
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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
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Sportsline.com | Nets

Cavs Media:
Cleveland Plain Dealer | Cavs

Game 65: Nets 104, Cavs 99 – March 12 , 2008
Home Security
The best defense is a good offense, as the saying goes. And when LeBron James comes knocking on your door, you'd better get as far ahead of him as you can. Fortunately for the Nets, coming home and securing the Izod with a burst of offense and just enough gumption to see things through is just what they needed to snap a six game losing streak and keep hope alive. Yes, there is absolutely no figuring this Nets team out, but a win against the Cavs (that makes 3 this year) is nothing to feel insecure about.

An opening burst by the Nets laid down the claim that LBJ and co. weren't going to find it easy to get in to the Izod. Making their first nine shots and looking nothing like the helpless twits we just saw in Houston, the Nets took control of the situation, spreading around the ball and taking a 19 - 5 lead only 6 minutes into the game. Scoring a first quarter high for the season with 38 points while taking a 15 point lead, the Nets were looking like a completely different squad.

But this is the NBA, the Cavs have LeBron, and you knew it wouldn't last. After the Nets made it a 17 point lead, James got rolling in the second quarter, the Nets (behind Marcus Williams) started finding it more difficult to peek in the windows, and before you knew it it was a five point game. Typical for this season, right? But the Nets rebounded when Devin Harris came back into the game, and they finished on a 9 - 3 spurt (Harris had an insane drive down the lane for a monster slam) and it was an 11 point halftime lead.

But, when there are wins to be stolen, you can bet that LeBron won't give up. Quicky running their lead back up to 19 behind a 10 - 2 opening run, the Nets were again set to lock the door and throw away the key on this one. But not so fast - the Cavs chipped the lead back to 11 before ending the third down 13 points. Only you could tell LeBron had that look in his eye like he was ready to rob the Nets blind.

The fourth quarter (and parts of the third) found the Nets starting to settle instead of attacking. James was ready to pounce, and with the Nets starting their fourth quarter prevent offense (again with Marcus Williams at the controls), the lead slipped to 7, and then 5, and then 2, as everyone's favorite huckleberry Damon Jones started making threes while everyone was watching LeBron. There was still a good six minutes to play, and the Nets were now swallowing hard, wondering if their good fortune had run out. And James was getting started...

Jones then hit his last three, cutting the Nets lead down to a single point with 5:24 to play. But Harris hit a driving layup, then stole the ball from LBJ and dished to Boki Nachbar for another layup, and the pressure was released. Or was it? Two James free throws, another Harris bucket, and an Anderson Varajao putback kept the lead at 3 with 1:49 to play, and the very real chance that after leading the entire night, the Nets might still give this one away. But Harris, again clutch, hit a huge three to give the Nets some distance, Delonte West hit a quick three and James was fouled by Vince Carter with 16 seconds to play, and he converted both free throws to put the lead again at a single point. But the Nets were able to ice things with a Marcus Williams free throw and four Carter freebies sandwiched around a single LBJ free throw. Key to icing it was a huge offensive rebound by Carter, getting the Nets the two extra free throws off the Williams miss and locking up the win.

Big win for the Nets, and surprising too. They'd shown no signs of offense or defensive greatness in the last 10 days, and then look at tonight's performance, which put them squarely back into eighth place in the East. What comes next? With this team, nothing is secure.

Under Lock And Key
Laser Beam Of Offense - That first quarter was nearly unrecognizable as a Net offense, especially this season. Good ball movement, working for excellent shots, no settling, and a nice job by Devin Harris got the Nets flowing with 38 first quarter points (and a ridiculous shooting percentage). Of course they came back to earth, but overall, it was a fine offensive showing, with balanced offense (6 double digit scorers), plenty of assists (Monday night - 12 assists; tonight - 30 assists), and some big performances from Devin Harris, RIchard Jefferson and Boki Nachbar.
KIng's Coup - LeBron James dropped 42 points on the Nets tonight, despite not finding much help from his teammates for long stretches. You get the feeling that he can do anything he wants on the court, including burn you with the right pass when doubled, or pulling down the big rebound on either end of the court. He was 42/11/7 for his troubles, and he led his teammates back from a 19 point, third quarter hole. He also had 2 blocks, and 6 turnovers. Can play some mean defense too, when he's not coasting. He's impressive, all right. Probably should be the league MVP, in my opinion. But he's lost 3 straight times to the Nets, which isn't exactly something to be proud of.
Facial Recognition - Let's hear it for Boki Nachbar, who was clutch in that fourth quarter with 3 threes and 21 points overall. The Nets absolutely needed that pick me up, and Boki was up for the challenge. Nicely done (and about time).
Defending The Castle - The Nets appear to have shifted from being a better road team early in the season to a better home team now. If only they could have put out this much effort last week during the 6 game skid, they probably could have beaten the Grizz and stolen a game from someone else. Too bad, really.

Breakins And Breakouts
What a difference a visit home makes. The Nets took a nice, balanced, free flowing offense, combined it with some defense, and used Devin Harris, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, Josh Boone and Boki Nachbar to deliver a home win. It was as impressive a win as we've seen this season, even with the late near-collapse, and it comes on the heels of perhaps their worst no-show of the season in Houston. So, if anyone can explain this team to me, please send an email asap, because I'd like to hear the explanation. For now, the Nets have regained some confidence, and some normalcy, and now it's time to find some consistency for the last 17 games of the season. Might be a tall order, but if they can play like they played tonight, perhaps I'll have seriously misjudged this team as they make the playoffs...
- Joe