New Jersey Nets avenge Tuesday’s loss against Cleveland Cavaliers
After dropping the first game of their home-and-home series, the New Jersey Nets bounced back with a come-from-behind win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 95-87, on Wednesday 10 November at
the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Devin Harris erupted for a season-high 31 points and dished out nine assists, helping the Nets avenge their heart-breaking 93-91 loss against the Cavaliers on Tuesday 9 November at the Prudential
Center in Newark.
“We had to grind this one out,” said Harris, who shot 10-for-23 from the field. “It wasn't perfect, but we did what it took. We had some guys a little banged, but guys came in and filled
the void.”
Anthony Morrow added 21 points and six rebounds, while Kris Humphries had a huge night as he finished the game with 13 points and 18 rebounds for New Jersey, who snapped their five-game losing
streak.
“Tonight felt like Game Seven of a series,” said Humphries, who started the game in place of injured big man Troy Murphy. “We needed a win. We just lost to this team.”
J.J Hickson had another good night for the Cavaliers, tallying 15 points and six rebounds, while Antawn Jamison and Ramon Sessions added 14 points apiece, but they couldn’t hold on to their
advantage.
The Cavaliers, who were coming from a three-game winning streak, picked off their rhythm early and they dominated the first half and built a 52-42 halftime lead. However, the Nets waxed hot
in the third period to erase Cleveland’s lead, and they followed it up with a solid performance in the crucial stage of the final period.
With Cleveland leading by one point after a powerful dunk from Hickson in 4:53 mark of the final period, the Nets were forced to call a timeout and they responded well as they unleashed an
8-0 rally to take an 88-81 lead. They never looked back and snapped the three-game winning streak of Cleveland.
“It was a great effort by our guys,” said Nets head coach Avery Johnson, who blasted his players especially centre Brook Lopez for playing soft in their last few games. “We wanted it more
than they did. It was a good win for us.”
Although he was impressed with the whole team-effort, Johnson was still discontented with Lopez, who received a lot of icy stares from him throughout the game. The emerging centre played
for only 16 minutes and finished with only four points and six rebounds.
The win also snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Cavaliers, and handed Cleveland’s third loss in their first four home games this season.
“We definitely need to clean it up,” said Cleveland guard Daniel Gibson, who only had five points on 2-for-10 shooting from the field. “We have the best fans in the NBA and they need to see
the best product we can put out there on the floor.”
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