Brook Lopez has moved past Vince Carter into 2nd place on the #Nets’ all-time scoring list. pic.twitter.com/lDwtZY1kdw
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 25, 2016
The Brooklyn Nets completed a huge upset of the Cavs with an incredible fourth quarter run, as Brook Lopez made team history.
- Brooklyn Nets 104 (20-51)
- Cleveland Cavaliers 95 (51-21)
- NBA, Final, Full Box Score
- Barclays Center, New York, NY
WHAT A NIGHT! #Nets beat the #Cavs 104-95 in Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/VGbITMiFCs
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 25, 2016
The Brooklyn Nets were huge underdogs at home tonight against LeBron James and the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. That explains why they didn’t see tonight’s fourth quarter rally coming from the home team.
The Cavs were down 59-49 at halftime, but routed the Nets in the third quarter (helped by 15 points from James) to take a three point lead. It looked like the game was over, but the Nets had one great quarter of basketball left in them.
Everything went Brooklyn’s way in the fourth as they outscored Cleveland 24-12 including an 18-0 advantage in the paint. Cleveland was just 4-of-21 in the quarter and James was held scoreless. The lowly Nets ended the game on a 14 to 3 run, leaving the Cavs stunned.
As strange as it sounds, the Nets exposed one of Cleveland’s greatest weaknesses tonight. James was left to carry an entire load as Kyrie Irving (6-of-22 from the field, 1-of-8 on 3’s) and Kevin Love (5-14 from the field, 0-5 on 3’s) were both off and they couldn’t even take down the Nets.
Nets outscored Cavaliers 24-12 in 4th quarter (18-0 in paint)
Cavs 12 pts ties their fewest in a quarter this year pic.twitter.com/Z9UrI7PmBi
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 25, 2016
Despite sharing the court with LeBron James, it was Brook Lopez who stole the individual headlines tonight. Drafted by the Nets in 2008, Lopez has been one of the most loyal players in the NBA. Despite his injury problems leading to constant trade rumors, the former All-Star has always reiterated that he wants to remain with the Nets.
Tonight he was rewarded for his words when he made franchise history. In his eighth season and 482 career game, Lopez passed the legendary Vince Carter for second All-Time on the Nets’ franchise scoring list. Lopez is now behind just Buck Williams (10,440), and if he remains a Net for the rest of his career that first place position is inevitable.
Brooklyn’s home stand continues on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.
We've got a game. Close one here in Brooklyn as the #Cavs lead #Nets 83-80 after three. pic.twitter.com/N0gLd1r1Bm
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 25, 2016
