Joe Netsfan Game x Game 69 - Nuggets 125, Nets 114

Climbing back, only to fall down again

Nuggets 125, Nets 114
Game 69 File
Defense escapes the Nets, and they fall into a 17 point hole early in the third quarter. A furious comeback ensues, led by Vince Carter, and the Nets take the lead late in the third. But, as fast as it came, it went, as the Nuggets open the lead back as high as 17 to put the Nets in a big playoff hole with a loss.
• Box Score

Nets Record: 29 - 40
Home Record: 18 - 18
Away Record: 11 - 22
Division Record: 2 - 8
Conf. Record: 21 - 19
Other Game Reviews

Nets High Men:
• Points: Vince Carter, 32.
• Assists: Devin Harris, 13.
• Rebounds: Josh Boone, 11.
• Steals: Harris, Carter, Jefferson, and M. Williams each had 1.
• Turnovers: Marcus Williams, 5.
• Blocks: Desagana Diop, 2.
• FG Percentage: Josh Boone, 66.7% (4 - 6).

Nets Team Stats:
• FG Percentage: 50.6%
• FT Percentage: 80.6%
• Rebounds: 46
• Rebound Differential: +12
• Turnovers: 18
• Opposing Team's Turnovers: 9
• Bench points: 19
• Bench points Differential:-22
• Steals:4
• Blocks: 5
• Points in the Paint: 48
• Double-Doubles: 2 (Devin Harris: 16 points, 13 assists; Josh Boone: 10 points, 11 rebounds)
• Triple-Doubles: 0

The (No) Kidd Effect:
• Nets Players in Double Digit Scoring: 4
• Nets Fast Break Points: 19
•Devin Harris' FG Percentage: 38.5% (5 - 13)
• Scoring Differential Harris in the game: -13
• Scoring Differential Harris out: -1 (M. Williams)

Nets Media
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YES Network | Nets

Nets Team Pages
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Nuggets Media:
Denver Post | Nuggets
Denver Rocky Mountain News | Nuggets

Game 69: Nuggets 125, Nets 114 – March 21 , 2008
Fell Down The Well
Struggling in the first half to get themselves boosted up out of the well they'd fallen down to the Nuggets in, the Nets finally found some room to climb their way out in the third quarter. But as quckly as they had turned a 17 point hole into a two point advantage, it was right back into darkness, as Denver pushed the Nets right back into an ugly, defenseless loss. And with the big "L", the Nets fall a half game out of the last playoff spot in the East.

Looking nothing like a playoff contender, or at least defender, in the first half, it was a scary lot of dunks, 'oops and three point shooting that put the Nets down early. Old friend Kenyon Martin started the pushing, with a big first half that featured no less than four 'oops, and Linas Kleiza, of all people, made sure they fell over the edge with three big threes. Despite the efforts of Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and Devin Harris, the Nets were down eight after one and twelve at the break. And after giving up 70 points in the first half in the victory over the Hawks, the Nets gave up 67 to the Nuggets.

And while the Nuggs hit the second half hoping for the splash of the Nets, they almost got it after getting the lead up to 17 just three minutes into the third. Allen Iverson came alive, scoring 8 consecutive points, and it appeared the night was over. But these Nets somehow found the will to rally, and a 12 - 0 run put the Nets within striking distance, before Carter put his teammates on his back and climbed up the rope. VC had 13 points and 3 assists in the quarter, and the game-tying jumper with 2:03 left in the third. Clearly, little Timmy was seeing a miracle before his eyes.

Well, hold on to the script. After furiously catching the Nuggets, the Nets, more than gassed, more like demoralized, watched in horror as the Nuggets went on an 11 - 0 run to kick the remaining fingers off that rope, and back down the well went NJ, again behind by 17. That was a 34 point swing in just over 15 minutes of game time. Breakdowns on offense, turnovers, and some pretty leaky defense, none of which were seen in the third quarter, reappeared in the fourth and the Nets never recovered, despite the grand effort of Carter. Denver, clawing themselves for a playoff berth in the West, would have themselves a big win in New Jersey.

Not exactly the kind of effort that wins playoff basketball, no? But then again, who are we kidding? If the Nets are lucky enough to find their way to the playoffs, it'll be because too many other teams in the East are flat out mediocre. Now, with the fourth game in five nights against the divisional rival Sixers up tomorrow night, can the Nets grab a win on the road, where they haven't seen daylight in months?

No Rescue
No Light Escapes - Did you see tonight's game? Were you distraught over the Nets defense for most of the night (nah, you've seen it most of the year)? Too many easy points in the paint, from 'oops, dunks or simple drives to the hoop, plus too many damned rebounds that could have been grabbed when the Nets needed them. And the Nets aren't getting many turnovers (only 4 steals tonight, plus 5 blocks), putting more pressure on themselves to have either a perfect offense, or a lucky night where their opponent's shots don't fall. The Nets again allowed a team to shoot better than 50%, and it all adds up to losses where their could be wins. We hear it every game - defense wins games. Well, the Nets aren't winning enough, and here's your chief cause.
Hope At The End Of The Rope - If the Nets are going to get anywhere, it'll be on the back of Vince Carter, who seems renewed on both ends of the floor, playing with a passion and energy that's been missing for most of the season. Carter again was terrific, making shot after shot in that third quarter rally, while also dishing out assists, rebounding the ball, and playing defense. Plus, more than once we've seen some fire from VC, yelling at refs for call that didn't go his way, or even getting in his teammates' faces (OK, it's not quite like that, but, you know what I mean). The Nets can't win a thing unless Carter plays out of his mind, and he's doing his best (his teammates, though, are letting him down).
The So-Called Rescuers - Strong game from Richard Jefferson, with 29 points, and Devin Harris, who had 16 points and 13 assists, but both came up lame late, most likely spent from all the work they have to do for everyone else. Marcus Williams had another shaky game, with 5 turnovers in 15 minutes, and no one else aside from Josh Boone (10 points, 11 boards, some big hustle) and Desagana Diop (he was +19 with two blocks as he helped key the Nets comeback in the third) did anything of significance (including stop someone on defense). In fact, when Marcus Williams enters the game, things immediately get shaky as they attack him on defense. Even when playing Williams with Devin Harris, teams try to isolate their PG on Williams (or in this case, Iverson on Williams) and it's killing the Nets right now.
Tall Tales - Let's say something good about Sean Williams, who has struggled with fouls, inconsistency, and a major reduction in minutes of late. Sean also helped in that third quarter, especially defensively, and he was +11in his 11 minutes (though he picked up 4 fouls as well).
A Scream Becomes An Echo - Why can't the Nets get their act together against the zone? Easy pickings they are, as the Nuggets rang up 13 steals (4 by Iverson) as NJ fought their way through the thick of the zone, only to misfire or turn the ball over all too often. It's one of the 2007 - 2008 Nets major Achilles heels, and for that Lawrence Frank should take some of the blame for not finding ways (and players) to get out of it. I know, it's not L. Frank's fault the Nets are desperate for shooters...
Flight - T

Someone Save My Baby
So while the Nets don't quite qualify as in free fall, they don't exactly look like a team that is getting their act together for the upcoming playoffs. With only 13 games left on the schedule, the road isn't easy, but if they don't pick it up, play some defense, and make some plays late in games, they'll be on the outside looking in. Tonight, a much better offensive team, led by Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, Linas Kleiza and Kenyon Martin, lost a big lead, but took it right back thanks to their desire (and their legs). The Nets need to find some way to all get on the same page, show the hustle, enthusiasm and playmaking we saw in the last week against Cleveland, Utah and Atlanta, and find a way to take that on the road and win with it. Things are starting to look desperate, at least as you look in the standings, if not as you look at the play of the Nets.
- Joe