Thomas Explodes Off The Bench For Brooklyn
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Strus Nails 7 3Pointers In Cavs Win Over Nets
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Brooklyn Nets comeback performance wasn’t enough for the victory as they fell 114-113 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in their home opener this past Wednesday night.
Cleveland took an early lead and Brooklyn fought throughout the game to tie the score at times and move ahead for a lead in the fourth quarter. Cam Thomas contributed 36 points, a new NBA record for the most points scored by a player off the bench in a season opening game, but Brooklyn was unable to land the one point in the final seconds of the game to secure the win.
“Cleveland was extremely physical with us throughout the course of the game even to the last few possessions, which boiled down to the physicality,” said Coach Jacque Vaughn. He told the Nets they have to be more accountable, physical, disruptive and communicative following the game.
The final box score showed the Nets out-rebounded the Cavs 50-38 and both teams had six blocks, but Cleveland had more steals (10-6) and forced more turnovers. Brooklyn had 17 turnovers and Cleveland had 10.
Cleveland led throughout the first quarter, when they scored their most points. They were ahead 37-32 moving into the second quarter. Brooklyn worked to tie the score several times in the second quarter and pushed ahead 58-56 with about 1:42 minutes remaining in the quarter. Teams were tied at 63 going to halftime. The Nets fell behind early in the third quarter and the Cavs led 90-87 at the end of the quarter. The Nets pushed ahead 97-95 with a three pointer by Dennis Smith Jr. with 9:20 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn was ahead the majority of the quarter. Cleveland tied the score at 105, but Brooklyn came back and led until a three pointer by Donovan Mitchell brought the Cavs ahead 114-113.
Max Strus had seven three-pointers in his debut as a Cavalier, the most for a debut in franchise history. He led the Cavs with 27 points and 12 rebounds and had two assists.
Ben Simmons led Brooklyn with 10 rebounds and nine assists. He chipped four points. Mikal Bridges added 20 points, three steals, six rebounds and four assists. Thomas had three rebounds, two assists and one steal, in addition to his 36 points.
“It’s always good to always reflect on what you did well,” said Thomas about his game performance and points. “Obviously you want the win, because it would be much better. But it’s a good thing to do, first game of the year. I just got to keep building on it.”
The Nets take on ex-teammate team Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks tonight in Texas. Dallas won on the road against the San Antonio Spurs as Luka Doncic led all scorers with 33 points. In his NBA debut, #1 draft pick Victor Wembanyama scored 15 points in 23 minutes.
