Nets start robust stretch with gutty comeback towards Pelicans

The upper high quality the opponent, the uglier the sport.

That a lot has rung true within the Nets’ final two outings, first Wednesday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls after which Brooklyn’s come-from-behind 108-102 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

The Pelicans have been with out All-Stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson however mucked the sport up on the boards and on 50-50 balls. It’s been a recipe for achievement for a Pelicans group that entered the night time 5-1 in video games with out these two stars. On a poor taking pictures night time from Kyrie Irving, the Nets made sufficient performs down the stretch to safe a victory — setting the desk to start out a brand new streak after their 12-game run got here to an finish in Chicago.

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With 21 playoff opponents on the docket of their subsequent 23 video games, the final two video games have confirmed high quality of opponent is all that issues. Because the Nets start to face playoff and championship-caliber opponents, their margin for error will change into that a lot slimmer.

It was a taking pictures night time in Antarctica for each Irving and Kevin Durant, who every struggled to knock down pictures towards a stingy Pelicans protection.

Durant began the night time one-of-seven from the sector and shot simply 9-of-26 from the sector for 33 factors in his least environment friendly taking pictures night time of the season. Durant completed one level shy of passing Dominique Wilkins for 14th place on the NBA’s all-time main scorers record. He struggled to knock down pictures he historically makes towards a Pelicans protection that swarmed him off the dribble.

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It didn’t assist that Irving couldn’t purchase a basket, both. The Japanese Convention’s main All-Star vote getter amongst guards shot simply 7-of-22 from the sector for 19 factors.

After lacking 12 of his first 16 pictures, Irving hit a 3 that gave the Nets a three-point lead halfway by way of the fourth quarter. He then seemed to the skies, took a second to middle himself, and shouted two phrases.

“God rattling!”

After taking pictures 0-of-9 from the sector and 0-of-8 from downtown within the loss to the Bulls, Royce O’Neale redeemed himself with a four-of-seven taking pictures night time from downtown. O’Neale completed with 14 factors and hit a pivotal three late within the fourth quarter to offer the Nets a 101-97 lead.

The Pelicans’ solely obtainable star CJ McCollum completed with 28 factors, Naji Marshall completed with 23 and New York native Jose Alvarado scored 17 off the bench.

The Nets held the Pelicans to simply 38 factors within the second half. They hunkered down defensively when the offense sputtered.

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With the issue of the schedule ratcheting up within the second leg of the season, the Nets might want to deliver that second-half defensive effort to Miami for his or her ultimate street sport.