Thomas Hits Game Winner
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Brooklyn Nets played a rare Sunday matinee game at Barclays Center when they hosted the San Antonio Spurs and future Hall of Fame coach Greg Popovich. After watching guard Kyrie Irving make his season debut against the Indiana Pacers last week in which he described it as “my best debut” in the win, the Nets would get mauled the next game at home against the Milwaukee Bucks. Due to the New York City Covid restrictions, lrving is not allowed to play here. So, for the second set straight game, second year head coach Steve Nash had to adjust his starting line-up.
Led by the Nets other big two, Kevin Durant (game high 28) and James Harden (26) Brooklyn was able to overcome a balanced San Antonio team that saw all of their starters and two bench players score in double figures. The Spurs were led by Lonnie Walker IV (25) with Bryn Forbes coming off the bench to chip in18.
It was a back and forth game in the first half with the Spurs clinging to a 3-point lead (47-44) after a Dejounte Murray jumper. Brooklyn would then go on a 16-4 run to close out the half taking at 60-51.
The Nets defense was nowhere to be found in the third quarter as they gave up 38 points allowing San Antonio to get back in the game closing the gap to 2 at 91-89.
Brooklyn was poised to break their 5 game home losing streak taking a 113-107 lead with 3:02 left. They did not score the rest of the game as San Antonio scored the last 6 points sending the game into overtime. Durant missing the game winning attempt with 3.8 left.
Neither team would take more than a 2 point lead in the extra frame. After a Murray hits a pair of free throws tying the game at 119 with .46 left, it set up the game winner as Cam Thomas (11 points in 30 minutes) nails a jumper with 1.7 left giving Brooklyn the 121-119 win.
The Nets had not won a home game since December 16th and Nash was pleased especially after the team blew a big lead in the third quarter. “We didn’t let go,” he began. “We could have dropped our heads at times but defense and energy stayed with it. Wasn’t always perfect but it was better.”
The Nets next two games see them travel to Portland tonight before heading to Chicago to face the Bulls.
