After losing 31 points against the New Orleans pelicans in their first scrimmage, the Nets returned and found their way on Saturday by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 124-119 in Orlando. Despite the absence of Jamal Crawford and Donta Hall, the nets capitalized from the depths and gathered behind Caris LeVert.
The Nets put six players in double figures: Levert was 27 (in 22 minutes); Tyler Johnson and Rodions Kurucs both had 17. Joe Harris finished with 12 while Garrett Temple and Jarrett Allen scored 10 each. Allen also had 11 rebounds for his second double double of scrimmage.
The nets that led most of the middle quarters had to face a late Spurs return, but with Johnson hitting three against two and Lance Thomas and Dzanan Musa providing late defensive heroism, the nets were able to resist.
Despite having scored only four points, Chris Chiozza played an otherwise solid game with seven assists and seven rebounds despite being the smallest player on the pitch. “He sees the pass before it should be delivered,” said Jacque Vaughn.
Vaughn was also happy with the Kurucs games. After a disappointing season before the arrest of the NBA, the big Latvian had two solid games in the “bubble”.
“It will space the floor for us. He is really learning the nuance of when to roll, when to space, when to be a receiver, when to be a donor. So I think you see the joy he’s embracing playing, “added Vaughn.
Overall, Vaughn said through Zoom that he liked the way the team responded after a 99-68 loss in the first scrimmage against the pelicans … without Zion Williamson.
“I like the fact that our kids didn’t like the way the game was solved. So we wanted to play better, “said Vaughn.” It was a great test for our group, get out and play with energy and effort. “
“I think it started with the defensive effort,” added LeVert. “I think [Chris Chiozze] and I set the tone myself, keeping better tonight. I think this helped to take a simpler look at the offensive part. “
“Rhodes obviously adds a new wrinkle to us by playing around five,” said Harris. “I think he is one of those players who has excellent size, length, athleticism, is able to attack the rebound and is also able to take down the shots, so he puts the five in a rather compromised position and he has done a really good job. to open things up to us in an offensive way. “
It was a deadlock in the first part of the game, but LeVert and Kurucs gave them a much needed boost, which made the first half a lot more fun than Wednesday night. LeVert scored five of his first 11 hits, while Kurucs nailed all three of his 3-point attempts. He was tied, 57 each in half.
Kurucs scored 12 points in eight minutes, going 3 out of 3 from 3 points in the first half, continuing his stellar game in the two scrimmage games played by the nets. If so far you’ve been looking for a consistent positive result from the nets, it was Kurucs – who played backup 5 with Donta Hall out.
In the second half, LeVert kept the boat stable, scoring 12 of its 27 points in the third quarter. Nets led by eight entered the fourth, overtaking Spurs 39-31 in the third. Garrett’s temple was crucial in the third quarter, nailing two 3 pointers that put double-digit nets right after.
By perspective, the nets had 67 points with 7:50 left in the third. They scored 68 points all Thursday.
However, the nets eased their hold and the Spurs regained the lead, 105-103, with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Vaughn pulled out most of his entrees and the Brooklyn 2nd unit fought.
And then, with less than three minutes remaining, Johnson left the bench and nailed two 3-point friction points to give the nets a seven-point lead with 2:29 remaining. So, Musa ended the deal with a couple of free throws, giving the nets a seven point lead with 54 seconds remaining.
Johnson played very well on his debut in goals, scoring his 17 points in 18 minutes. Allen was again stellar, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds in his 23 minutes. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot struggled, while Musa recorded his first minute in the fourth quarter of the fourth quarter. On Wednesday Musa led all scorers in all networks with 11 points.
Brooklyn fired 43 percent from the field, 32 percent from three, delivered 27 assists and only turned the ball 11 times. Oh yes, and they had 14 thefts – three from LeVert.
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Next: Scrimmage no. Monday 3 against Utah Jazz, at 5:30 pm. The game will be live on FOX Sports Go and the delay of the tape after the Yankee game on YES. It is the last scrimmage before the networks begin their seeding games next Friday.
