Brooklyn Nets

Brooklyn Nets vs. Houston Rockets Takeaways and Player Grades

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:19 p.m. ET

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Dec 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoot the ball over Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets faced a tough test on Monday night as they took on James Harden and the Rockets in Houston.

The Brooklyn Nets’ offense came out firing on Monday, as Brooklyn would need a potent offensive performance in order to hang with the Rockets.

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The Nets moved the ball well in the early going which led to open shots, resulting in an early Nets lead. Bojan Bogdanovic scored five early points to get the Nets out in front, but at the midway point of the first quarter, Houston was on an 8-0 run to take a 16-11 lead.

Houston stretched their lead to 11 at the 4:14 mark of the first quarter, when Jeremy Lin entered the game. Lin played — on a minutes restriction — for the first time since November 2.

Lin scored his first bucket, a layup, with under a minute remaining in the first quarter. Houston, led by James Harden with eight points, led 29-24 at the end of one quarter.

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The Rockets opened up the lead in the second quarter, as Brooklyn was overmatched defensively. Brooklyn scored just three points in three and a half minutes, as Houston pushed the lead up to 14, at 41-27.

As has been the case at various times this season, the Nets’ offense went cold in the second quarter. Brooklyn scored just 19 points in the second quarter, trailing at halftime by a score of 53-43. Jeremy Lin played nine minutes in the first half. Sean Kilpatrick led the Nets with 10 first-half points, while Ryan Anderson led the Rockets with 12 points, and Harden added 10. The Nets shot 38.5 percent from the field in the first half, compared to Houston’s 46 percent.

Brook Lopez found a rhythm in the third quarter as Brooklyn tried to cut into Houston’s lead.

The Nets showed resilience as the offense began to click in a quarter in which the Nets have generally struggled. Brooklyn scored 42 points in the third quarter, their most complete third quarter performance of the season. Jeremy Lin hit a late three pointer to put Brooklyn within five, 90-85, heading to the fourth quarter.

The Rockets turned to their star, James Harden, who had no trouble heating up in the second half. Houston led 105-96 with six minutes remaining. At the 4:56 mark, Lin checked into the game for the Nets.

A deep two from Joe Harris put Brooklyn within two, 111-109, with 2:57 left. The Nets swung momentum in their favor when Trevor Booker sped down the floor in transition and made a layup while drawing a foul. He then hit the free throw to give Brooklyn the lead, 114-113. Brook Lopez then showed off his post moves, pushing Brooklyn’s lead to three as part of a 7-0 Nets run.

An Eric Gordon three pointer tied the game at 116 with 1:30 remaining. On Houston’s next possession, Harden hit a midrange jumper to give the Rockets a two point lead. With under a minute remaining, Joe Harris tied the game at 118 with a bank shot off the glass.

The Rockets split a pair of free throws to take a one point lead, and then got a defensive stop. Then, for a second straight trip down the floor, Houston split another pair of free throws. The Rockets led 120-118 with 11.9 seconds remaining.

A crushing turnover on an inbounds pass ended Brooklyn’s bid for a comeback. The Nets gave a valiant effort, but came up short, 122-118.

Dec 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremy Lin (7) dribbles the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Takeaways

1. Limited Jeremy Lin is better than no Jeremy Lin at all

Jeremy Lin played just 20 minutes off the bench, as he was on a minutes restriction in his first game back after injuring his hamstring on November 2. Lin went 4-of-8 from the field, including one three-pointer. He scored 10 points, and dished out seven assists. Lin’s plus-minus in his 20 minutes of play was +17, the highest of any Nets player. While Lin was smartly limited in his first game back, the Nets still benefitted from having him on the floor.

2. Third quarter triumph

If you’ve watched the Nets this season, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about, and witnessed, the Nets’ struggles in the third quarter of games. Often times, the Nets come out of the halftime break slow and out of sync, and eventually it leads to Brooklyn facing a fourth-quarter deficit. On Monday, that was not the case at all. Brooklyn came out in emphatic fashion, scoring 42 points in the third quarter. The output was just one point less than the Nets scored in the entire first half, which was 43. The Nets may have lost this game, but the third quarter performance positioned them for a comeback attempt, which is a step in the right direction.

3. Turnovers are still a problem

The biggest knock on the Nets was their turnovers. Once again, Brooklyn approached the 20-turnover mark. Ultimately, the Nets gave the ball away 19 times. Brooklyn’s started committed 17 of the 19 turnovers, led by Sean Kilpatrick‘s seven. Brook Lopez had four, and Isaiah Whitehead and Trevor Booker each had three. Brooklyn’s chance at a comeback was squandered due to a turnover on an inbounds pass. While it’s just one play, it was costly, and it was a microcosm for perhaps Brooklyn’s biggest issue — the Nets are prone to giving the ball away.

Dec 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) attempts to spin around Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Player of the Game

Brook Lopez

C, Brooklyn Nets

ABrook Lopez led the Brooklyn Nets with 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Lopez, who is averaging around five three pointers attempted per game this season, shot only two on Monday. Lopez clearly was more focused on playing as a more prototypical center against the Rockets, as he made his mark in the post. Lopez also got to the free throw line eight times, and made all eight. He was extremely effective on offense, especially in the second half.

Wildcard

Trevor Booker

PF, Brooklyn Nets

B+A few players would’ve worked in this slot. First, a few notable mentions: Isaiah Whitehead scored 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 11, thanks in part to shooting 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Jeremy Lin, in limited time, was effective, scoring 10 points. But we’ll go with Trevor Booker here. Booker scored 10 points, and pulled down 13 rebounds. The Nets have struggled to rebound the ball this season, and Booker excelled greatly on Monday night.

Up your game, please…

Bojan Bogdanovic

SG/SF, Brooklyn Nets

With the loss, the Nets drop to 6-17 on the season. Brooklyn will have Tuesday off before hosting the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at 7:30 EST.

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