The Brooklyn Nets secure a much-needed win over the vaunted Houston Rockets after catching fire from three-point range.
- Brooklyn Nets 123 (2-3)
- Houston Rockets 116 (3-2)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
There’s no need to panic about a slow start for the Brooklyn Nets. On Friday, Kyrie Irving and company took down James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Houston Rockets in the Barclays Center.
Irving didn’t light up the box score with another 30-point game, but he was able to dish out 10 assists and keep the offense running smoothly. Taurean Prince and Caris LeVert were able to lead the way for Brooklyn with 27 and 25, respectively.
Kyrie to Jarrett on the roll. #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/4887D0WhRK
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) November 1, 2019
CA-RIS
LE-VERT
?-?
?-?-? pic.twitter.com/JJpWR4tz5F— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 2, 2019
A little juke, a little shake 'n bake, and a deuce for @CarisLeVert!
Stream #NETSonYES LIVE: https://t.co/Twj8wHMZnQ pic.twitter.com/BuV7brvLuq
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 2, 2019
There was one obvious difference in this game: three-point shooting. The Nets finished 19-for-32 from three while the Rockets shot a paltry 12-for-48 from deep. While Harden was able to pour in 36 points, he was only 2-for-16 from distance. It’s tough to win games with that kind of discrepancy from beyond the arc.
This is exactly the type of game the Nets are going to need from their secondary guys against the cream of the crop in the NBA. Everyone knows Irving is a stud, but it’s going to be difficult for him to score 35-plus points each night.
That being said, when Brooklyn needs a bucket in a big spot, Irving is always right there. The All-NBA point guard knocked down a step-back three from the corner to give Brooklyn a nine-point lead with under a minute left. He’s their unquestioned closer, but the Nets can’t rely on him to carry the scoring load for 48 minutes.
Kyrie. Dagger.
Your @MaimonidesMC Play of the Game ? pic.twitter.com/aAx26cjHUr
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 2, 2019
Aside from the scorching hot three-point shooting, the Nets defended well against one of the best offensive teams in the league. It’s rare when a team can give up 116 points and still say it was solid defense, but the Houston Rockets are a different animal.
Brooklyn will jump on a flight to Michigan to take on the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET).
