The West Coast trip for the Brooklyn Nets was looking like it was going to be starting off on a very positive note with a victory against the Phoenix Suns after a strong first half, but the second half was a totally different story for Brooklyn. Their second half collapse led to their third loss of the season, in a game they will certainly look back on as one they should being able to win.
– Second Half Collapse
Everything was going very well for the Nets in the first half against the Suns, as they outscored the Suns 29-17 in the first quarter, and then followed it up by winning the second quarter 34-32, but the second half was the total opposite of the first half for the Nets.
Brooklyn had as much as a 19-point lead in the second half, but an awful scoring drought led to them losing their lead and eventually the game. The Suns would outscore the Nets by 22 points in the second half, which included a 14-point differential in the fourth quarter that ultimately did the Nets in.
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Player of the Game: Mirza Teletovic
Teletovic has emerged as the Nets’ No. 1 option off the bench, and that was very apparent with his 33 minutes played against the Suns. Teletovic shot the ball very well going 6-11 from the field, which included 4-8 from beyond the arc for 16 points. He was also finished the game as one of the five Nets on the court.
– Iso Joe
Joe Johnson had strong words after the Nets’ win on Sunday about the team being selfish, but in the loss to the Suns on Wednesday night it was a lot of ‘Iso Joe’ down the stretch, and that did not go well for Brooklyn.
Johnson finished with a team-high 21 points on 7-16 shooting, but when the Suns got close Johnson took it upon himself to carry the Nets, and he was unable to lead them to a win by himself.
– Suns Bench Was Hot
Phoenix’s bench, in particular Gerald Green and Isaiah Thomas,were difference makers in the Suns’ win. Thomas was a pest for the Nets all game with his ability to find his way to the basket and drawing fouls, which led to a good day for Thomas. He was able to finish with 21 points on 6-13 shooting, and went a perfect 9-9 from the free throw line.
Green was the Suns’ main gun on Wednesday, as he scored a game-high 28 points on 7-15 shooting, and like Thomas made a living at the line going 11-12. The great play from Thomas and Green led to starter Eric Bledsoe playing just 23 minutes.
– Pulled Again
Once again down the stretch of the game Lionel Hollins pulled Brook Lopez as he failed to protect the rim on a drive by Thomas, and in the second half Lopez played only 10 minutes. Lopez finished with 16 points on 6-13 shooting, but he only had three rebounds, and Hollins was clearly upset with his performance on defense, which led to him being pulled in the closing minutes.
Next up for the Nets will be their second game of the West Coast swing against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.