The Nets defeated the Miami Warmth 102-86 on Friday at Barclays Middle, avenging a earlier residence loss to the identical membership on Jan. 25. Whereas they struggled taking pictures the ball via three quarters, stifling protection down the stretch fueled a stunning blowout win.
“Like I said 100 times, credit to the coaching staff,” D’Angelo Russell mentioned. “At halftime they let us know where we needed to be better as a group. We shifted our focus, executed, simple as that.”
Nearly as good as Brooklyn appeared on protection when it mattered, it appeared misplaced at that finish within the opening minutes. The Warmth opened the sport with a Duncan Robinson 3-pointer, adopted by three straight lobs, and finally constructed a 16-5 lead with 7:08 left within the first quarter.
Fortunately, it didn’t take lengthy for the Nets to seek out their composure after that sluggish begin. Russell and Cam Johnson received concerned on offense. They tightened up on protection. And in some way, Brooklyn turned an 11-point deficit right into a 28-26 lead coming into the second quarter.
Whereas the Nets’ starters outscored Miami’s 17-7 within the second quarter, the reserves had no reply for Terry Rozier, who poured in 12 factors within the interval. Due to his flurry, and poor taking pictures, Brooklyn couldn’t create separation on the scoreboard. It nonetheless managed to play the guests to a 53-53 tie the primary half.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro mixed for 17 factors within the third quarter, spearheading a 50% taking pictures effort for Miami, whereas no Nets participant scored greater than 5. Brooklyn shot simply 29.2% within the interval and dedicated 5 turnovers, which created a 77-71 deficit coming into the ultimate body.
“I think the effort defensively was on and off,” head coach Jordi Fernandez mentioned. “But in that fourth quarter, I think was consistent.”
The Nets merely flipped a change within the fourth quarter. They took full management of the sport defensively. The Nets scored greater than 30 factors and surrendered fewer than 10 in a fourth quarter for simply the second time in franchise historical past.
Miami couldn’t purchase a bucket. Adebayo and Herro had been fully shut down. And instantly, Trendon Watford — who shot 4-for-5 within the interval — might hardly miss.
“Just trying to help me team win,” Watford mentioned. “Whatever way I can do that is the way I’m going to do it. So, tonight in the fourth quarter I was able to get some buckets and get some stops.
The Nets opened the fourth quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 97-81 lead with 7:22 left, and didn’t look back. They outscored the Heat 31-9 over the final 12 minutes, limited them to just 9.5% shooting and forced six turnovers.
And that’s how you close a game. Brooklyn improved 18-34 with the win and has now won four of five. Four of those opponents were held under 100 points.
“[Nic Claxton] and [Day’Ron Sharpe] both did a tremendous job being the anchor of our defense,” Fernandez mentioned. “Once again, their communication, being aggressive in their coverages, and that’s contagious. That’s why in that fourth quarter it felt like we were everywhere… It was good to see. Winning the fourth quarter on defense is important.”
Johnson completed with a team-high 18 factors whereas Russell added 17. Claxton contributed 12 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, notching his tenth double-double of the season. Brooklyn’s 13 complete blocks had been a season excessive.
Rozier led Miami with 20 factors, 4 rebounds and two assists.
The Nets will return to motion on Monday towards the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Middle.
Initially Printed: February 7, 2025 at 10:19 PM EST
