The Brooklyn Nets improved 2-0 in preseason after a 114-108 win in their home-opener against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday October 8th at Barclays Center.
It was James’ debut with his new team and a close game. The Nets were behind going to halftime, but remained resilient and kept up their energy for the third and fourth quarters. “I’m proud of them because they found a way,” Head Coach Jordi Fernández said about Brooklyn.
Fernández said during his pregame interview that he was looking for consistency in playing hard in the game following their first preseason win against the Charlotte Hornets Oct. 6. “We did a good job,” Fernández said about the previous game. “Obviously still a lot of mistakes that we cleaned up.”
Brooklyn was steadfast Thursday. Teams were tied at 33 at the end of the first quarter. The Nets trailed the 76ers 58-56 at halftime and led 93-81 by the end of the third quarter.
“I think for us the main focus was to get back after halftime with the same or higher energy as we left, and just being able to maintain that pressure,” said Egor Dëmin. “A couple made shots gave us a little push and from there everybody is motivated to guard and to run.”
The Nets outscored the 76ers 37-23 in the third quarter alone.
Julius Randle led Brooklyn with 14 points and had six total rebounds, two assists and two steals. Danny Wolf also had six rebounds and added nine points and four assists. Egor Dëmin added 13 points and led the team with five assists. “The goal is definitely to be as versatile as I can be,” Dëmin said.
Jaylen Brown led the 76ers with 18 points. Tyrese Maxey added 14, V.J. Edgecombe had 11, James had 10 and Embiid added six. James and Caleb Love led Philadelphia with five assists each. James also had a steal. He and Maxey did not play in the second half of the game. The 76ers had 22 total turnovers and the Nets had 16.
Mikel Brown Jr., the Nets No. 6 overall pick in the NBA draft this year did not play. Neither did 28th overall pick, Joshua Jefferson and veteran Michael Porter Jr.
The Nets traveled to the Nations Capital to play the Washington Wizards Oct. 12 and concluded their preseason in South Beach against the Miami Heat Oct. 14.
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