Joe Netsfan Game x Game 68 - Nets 125, Hawks 117

Flying high for a night

Nets 125, Hawks 117
Game 68 File
A big night offensively for the Nets, who struggle to contain the Hawks in the first half but get it together, limit the runouts and the second chances, and bring home 125 points for the win. Vince Carter is huge, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris brilliant, and the defense finally finds a way to win as the Nets get back to the eighth spot in the EC playoff race.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 29 - 39
Home Record: 18 - 17
Away Record: 11 - 22
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 21 - 19
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 39.
• Assists: Devin Harris, 9.
• Rebounds: Vince Carter, 10.
• Steals: Devin Harris, 3.
• Turnovers: Harris and Jefferson each had 3.
• Blocks: Josh Boone, 2.
• FG Percentage: Vince Carter, 65.3% (17 - 26).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 58.2%
• FT Percentage: 81.5%
• Rebounds: 33
• Rebound Differential: -6
• Turnovers: 10
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 13
• Bench points: 16
• Bench points Differential:-7
• Steals: 5
• Blocks: 4
• Points in the Paint: 58
• Double-Doubles: 1 (Vince Carter: 39 points, 10 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 21
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 53.3% (8 - 15)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: +11
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -3 (M. Williams. Armstrong)

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

Hawks Media:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Hawks

Game 68: Nets 125, Hawks 117 – March 19 , 2008
Wheels Up
Sitting on the runway at the Izod in the first half of their game against the Hawks, the Nets seemed to wonder if they would ever get cleared to take off. Well, behind a viruoso performance from the Nets offensive pilot, Vince Carter, and able assistants from first officers Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris, the Nets took flight in the second half, erased a thirteen point deficit, and soared to a big, playoff-implication win over Atlanta to retake the eighth and final playoff spot.

Somehow, the Nets struggled in the first half with the blast of the Hawks taxiing freely down the runway, and although it was a beautiful offense dream flow for both teams, you had to know the Nets couldn't make a soft landing with the defense they were playing. Behind a high scoring, high flying Vince Carter in the first quarter, the Nets grabbed a two point lead (despite Joe Johnson's 60 foot buzzer-beating three) but the second quarter became a nightmare of flight regulations, delays and waits on the runway. Using runouts, penetration and threes, the Hawks took control midway through the second quarter and took a 10 point lead into the half. Both teams were making shots, but the Hawks were controlling the boards, getting plenty of second chance shots, and the Nets were looking grounded.

But to start the second half, the Nets appeared to regain their equilibrium, which made it easier for them to start attacking the Hawks on offense, and taking them down on defense. Mike Bibby hit a three to give the Hawks their largest lead of the game, 13, to start the third quarter, and then the Nets flied a flight pattern to take away the Hawks running game while getting their own wheels up. Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris radioed the control tower and took it from there, scoring 31 of the Nets 34 3Q points, while holding the Hawks to only 20. That swing gave the Nets a 4 point edge after three, and set up a screaming fourth quarter.

Going on a 13 - 5 run to open the fourth and take a double digit lead, the Nets continued to follow their pilot and co-pilots VC, RJ and Devin and they kept up the pressure by making shots and getting stops. Atlanta would threaten late, cutting the lead back down to 8 several times, but in the end, the Nets had more than enough left in the tank, even after playing the night before, to put the Hawks safely in their hangers.

Big win for the Nets, as they hold a 3 - 1 edge in head-to-head matchups against the Hawks. With only 14 games to play, it becomes even bigger if the Nets can continue to play as if they want to make the playoffs, though we're still not entirely sure whether or not their capable. Time will tell - another quality opponent in the Nuggets is at the Izod on Friday night.

Planes, Trains And Automobiles
Fly The Friendly Skies - Even when he underachieves, he's hard to get impossibly mad at, because he smiles and has a good attitude even as we rip his performance to shreds. It can't be easy being Vince Carter. But the reason we all get that way is we've seen what he's capable of, like tonight's all around brilliance of 39 points (on 17 - 26 shooting), 10 rebounds and 8 assists. VC seemed to be all over the court, with his old bounce and dare I even say some fire? He played Joe Johnson well defensively (he only managed 7 points after halftime, and you could argue that 6 of those came when the game was already over), and he didn't seem to shirk from his responsiblities on either side of the ball. Exactly what the Nets need if they are to go anywhere with Carter on the team (and Kidd not...).
Fly Away - Seemed for much of this one that neither team could be bothered to play much defense, with all the runouts, slam dunks, 'oops, and second chance layups. The Nets fixed many of those problems in the second half, holding the Hawks to 47 points (after they scored 70 in the first half) while scoring 65 of their own. Devin Harris was also a pest on defense, and while you can't say the Nets were all that great if they gave up 117 points, they came through with the game on the line.
Air Down There - How's the bench, Marcus Williams? After a badly uneven performance against the Bulls last night, Williams didn't even play in the first half, the backup PG duties turned over to Darrell Armstrong. Marcus has floated in and out of games, looking great one minute, and getting toasted the next. He's got to put it all together so the Nets can rely on him, and not just turn into a shooter.
Plane Truth - As the Nets scramble to make the playoffs, the bench has gotten much shorter, and the starters are getting most of the significant minutes. Lawrence Frank is using up to 10 players nightly, but really only 6 or 7 are receiving major minutes (Boki Nachbar and Marcus Williams, aside from the starters). And with Nenad Krstic out with the flu again, Frank shortened the key rotation down to his 5 starters and Boki, with cameos for Diop, Hassell, Swift, Marcus Williams, and Armstrong.
Flying Through The Air - Sean Williams had two runout dunks to start this game, then was hardly heard from again (except when hearing a whistle with his name on it). The Nets could use a lot more of Sean's high-flying excitement, but whether he's exhausted from the long NBA season, or he's just lost focus in February and March, his skills should match up nicely with a team like the Hawks. C'mon Sean, you're better than that.
Flight - The 125 points were a Net season high, and after scoring 60 in the first half, piling on another 65 after the break is just not Net-like. Let's hope, after the defensive slop we've seen for years, that more exciting games are in the offing...

Big Old Jet Airliner
The Nets got some lift, some wind beneath their wings, thanks to the play of Vince Carter, RIchard Jefferson, and Devin Harris, who combine for 88 of the Nets' 125 points and some all-around excellent play. If the Nets are to beat the likes of the Hawks and the Bulls for that last playoff spot, they'll need big peformances from those three each and every game, especially from Carter. VC possesses talents that not many players do, but he has to want to use them, and want the ball when the game is on the line. Free from the shackles of Jason Kidd, now is the time for Carter to take over, provide excellent play and leadership and take this team into the playoffs. Given everything this team has gone through this season, and all the underachievement (who has underachieved more than Carter?), it's the least he can do.
- Joe