The Brooklyn Nets prepared to host the Washington Wizards. They came into the game off a loss to the Orlando Magic. So far this season, the Wizards have won both meetings by a total of four points. Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal combined to score 129 in those games. Brooklyn has 16 home wins, tied for second-most in the league.
James Harden made his presence felt right out of the gate. DeAndre Jordan made an alley-oop assisted by Harden to put the first points on the board for the Nets. However, following that play, the Wizards went on an early 10-0 run. Eventually, the run was ended with a layup by Kyrie Irving. Still, the Nets were not able to capitalize off of it. A 20-6 Wizards lead at the 7:54 mark forcing the Nets to call a timeout. After talking it over, they went on an 11-5 run to get themselves back into the game. The first quarter ended with the Wizards on top 30-25.
The Nets came into the second quarter with full steam. A step-back jump shot by Harden gave his team their first lead of the game since the first seconds of the opening quarter. From that point on, the Nets never looked back. Halfway through the quarter, their lead stretched to 10. The Nets were shooting 65% from the field, an improvement from 44% in the first. The Wizards, on the other hand, shot 48% from the field, significantly worse than the 68% they shot in quarter one. Although they only made 10 of 21 shots, by the quarter’s end, the Wizards were able to come within 7. It was a 63-56 game at the half.
Just 2 minutes into the third quarter, the Wizards cut their deficit to 5. A hook by Alex Len off the assist by Westbrook was responsible for his team inching closer. A few minutes later, a dunk by Len put them within 4. That was all the gas they appeared to have in the tank. The Nets took a 12 point lead with a little under 6 minutes to play. Going into the fourth, the Wizard’s deficit was back to 5. The Nets were ahead 88-83.
In his debut as Net, Blake Griffin started the fourth quarter with a dunk. An 11-4 run allowed The Nets to reach triple digits points at the 6:02 mark. The Wizards were not going away that easily, though. With under 4 minutes left to play, a layup by Westbrook bought his team within 3. That was the closest they were able to get. A late personal foul on Garrison Matthews as the clock ran down sent Irving to the line. He made both of his free-throws to close the game. The Nets beat the Wizards for the first time this season, 113-106.
Both Irving and Harden were a big factor in tonight’s win for the Nets. Irving finished the game with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Harden finished with 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists.
“They give me that confidence to go out there and be who I am every single night. I try to be unselfish as possible.” Harden said. “I know the talent we have on this team and what they’re capable of. My job is to go out there and give the best out of myself and for my teammates.”
Up Next:
The Nets will fly to Portland to take on the Trailblazers on Monday, March 22nd at 10pm.
The Wizards will stay put in New York as they face the Knicks on Tuesday, March 23rd at 7:30pm.
