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Brooklyn Nets Highlights: Memphis Grizzlies Take Control Early, Cruise To Victory

By Kenneth Teape

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95. 211. 86. 147. Final

Brooklyn Nets Highlights

The pregame video for former head coach Lionel Hollins was the highlight for the Brooklyn Nets tonight in the ‘Grindehouse’ against the Memphis Grizzlies, as the game didn’t go exactly as planned. The Nets held a 5-4 lead early in the first quarter, but that’s about as close as they would be the rest of the game, as the Grizzlies outscored them 28-10 the remainder of the quarter. The Grizzlies would open their lead to as much as 20 in the first half, as the Nets just don’t have enough to compete with one of the better teams in the Western Conference and NBA in general.

Six different Nets were able to crack double-digits in points, but it was a struggle overall offensively for Brooklyn tonight. Mason Plumlee led the way with Alan Anderson, as both scored 15 and were the only two Nets to shoot over 50 percent from the field. It was nice for the Nets to see Plumlee perform in a game like this, as the Grizzlies have one of the best front court combinations in the NBA. Normally they will eat up opposing big men, but tonight Plumlee was game and continued to perform admirably. Along with the 15 points, Plumlee also added 14 rebounds, one assist and three steals.

Deron Williams also got off the monkey off his back, as he finally made a basket. It was his first make in three games, as he went a combined 0-13 the previous two against the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards. He ended the game tonight 4-9 for 10 points with four assists, one rebound and one steal.

For the Grizzlies, it was just another day at the office. Their front court combination of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph overwhelmed the Nets, as the two went for 14 points and 11 rebounds and 19 points and eight rebounds respectively. The Nets just didn’t have an answer inside. The Grizzlies had six players of their own score in double-figures, led by the 19 from Randolph.

The one positive that the Nets can take from this game is that they actually won the rebounding battle. With Kevin Garnett on his last legs, and Brook Lopez being an extremely poor rebounder for his size, the Nets actually outrebounded the Grizzlies tonight, 46-45. It was a team effort, as five different players pulled down at least four, led by the 14 from Plumlee.

Where the Nets really lost it tonight wasn’t from an effort standpoint; the rebounding shows that they were trying. It was rather a lack of execution. The Nets turned the ball over 20 times, which the Grizzlies converted into 21 points. The Nets were only able to force 12 Grizzlies turnovers, which they converted into only nine points. That right there is the difference in the game.

The loss tonight is the third straight for the Nets, sending them into the All-Star break on a sour note. They now sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, one game behind the Miami Heat and only a half game ahead of the Detroit Pistons. Not where they expected to be at this point of the season, with a 21-31 record.  With the NBA Trade Deadline February 19th, and the Nets next game February 20th, this could be the last time we see some players in a Nets uniform as there has been no shortage of buzz surrounding the team about trades and potential buyouts.

Next: Who Were the Top 25 Athletes in New York Last Year?

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