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Brooklyn Nets Highlights: Tough West Coast Trip Continues For Nets vs. Houston Rockets

By Kenneth Teape

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3. 123. 28. 54. Final

Brooklyn Nets Highlights:Despite Off Night From Harden, Rockets Still Prevail Over Nets

The Brooklyn Nets grueling eight-game road trip continued Friday with a stop in Texas to take on the Houston Rockets. The Nets got off to an extremely hot start, but the Rockets were able to gradually get back into it as the game wore on, eventually wearing down the Nets and picking up the come from behind victory.

Like their game Wednesday night, this one was right there for the taking for the Nets, they were just unable to take advantage. Against the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday the Nets caught a break as they were missing three of their top four scorers; tonight, the Nets looked to be catching another break as Rockets All-Star and potential MVP James Harden came into the game questionable. He would suit up, but he didn’t play like a potential MVP.

Tonight the Nets were able to hold Harden in check, as he finished with only 15 points on 4-15 from the field, but he facilitated well getting 12 assists to go with five rebounds.

Harden knew he didn’t have it tonight and let his teammates take over. One of those teammates was Terrence Jones, who dominated inside against the Nets as they went small again. Jones got matched up throughout the game on Joe Johnson, who has taken over the Paul Pierce role from when Jason Kidd was coaching as the power forward. This has got to pain head coach Lionel Hollins, who had arguably the best power forward/center combination in the NBA at his last stop in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol but lacks weapons like that with the Nets.

Feb 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) dribbles the ball during the third quarter as Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Johnson (7) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Nets 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight Jones had himself a night, scoring a season-high 26 points to go with 12 rebounds. Johnson tried to hold his own, scoring 13 points with nine rebounds, but he was no real match for Jones.

Some may ask why Mason Plumlee wouldn’t matchup with Jones, as Jones plays more around the basket than his starting mate up front in Donatas Motiejunas. Either player would present problems for Plumlee, but he did what he could. He grabbed only four rebounds but tied for the team high in scoring at 15 points with Deron Williams.

Williams shot the ball okay against the Rockets, who have one of the stingier defenders at the point guard spot in Patrick Beverley. He made 6-15 from the field for 15 points, rounding out his stat line with a solid five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

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The problem for the Nets tonight was that they were unable to replicate their offense they had in the first quarter again at any time during the remainder of the game for an extended period of time. After scoring 36 points in the first quarter, the Nets managed only 62 the remainder of the game.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Nets, who will be right back at it tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Tonight marks the end of their eight-game road trip, which normally brings about one of two things. Either the Nets will bring a lot of effort to try and build some momentum to go home with and try to end the trip on a high note, or they will have an eye towards going home, not giving the Mavericks the focus they deserve and get blown out of the gym. For the Nets’ sake, hopefully if is the former, as they lost more ground in the playoff race with the Indiana Pacers defeating the short handed Cleveland Cavaliers.

Next: What Lessons Did We Learn From the Nets First Half?

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