New Jersey Nets hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers in overtime 122-117: NBA Recap
With both sides out of the playoff picture, the New Jersey Nets faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sunday night. However the game was not anything less than a battle and in the end,
the Nets barely managed to hold off the never surrendering Cavs, 122-117.
Reserve forward, Gerald Green led the Nets with 32 points which included five three pointers on the night. Anthony Morrow also came off the bench to score 24 points; Deron Williams chipped in with 18 points and 10 assists and Kris
Humphries contributed well with 16 points, also grabbing 11 boards.
From the Cavaliers side, Antawn Jamison had a game high 34 points while Alonzo Gee added 22. Lester Hudson, is currently under a 10-day contract with the Cavs, led the bench scoring by contributing 26 points.
Cavaliers came into the game shorthanded with three of their most prominent players Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and Anthony Parker missing in action due to injuries. But this did not turn their spirits down as they gave the
Nets a run for their money.
In the opening period of the game, Cavs held an early advantage. Behind Jamison`s 10 points in the first 12 minutes, they managed a 30-26 lead going into the second quarter. The hosts rallied back to tie all scores at 33 each with
8:40 remaining in the half and from that point on till the 5:27 mark in the second quarter, embarked on an 11-0 run to gain control of the game at 44-33.
This advantage remained till the half way stage as New Jersey closed out the half with a lead of 48-56.
The second half started off with 5 consecutive points by Jamison, who pulled the Cavs within 3 points of their hosts. Cavaliers rallied further on to tie the game up at 65 each with 7:05 remaining in the frame. Both teams traded
baskets for a few minutes but the Nets broke the deadlock and pushed late to take a 76-71 lead into the fourth.
New Jersey held onto the advantage in the early stages of the fourth quarter. However the Cavs wee not going down without a fight.
Hudson hit two quick three pointers to cut the lead back down and on a putback dunk by Thompson, the scores were all tied up at 94 each with 5:42 remaining in regulation. The game was tied till there was under a minute left in
the final period. That was when Green gave the Nets the lead by connecting from long range with 36.7 remaining in the game.
In the final seconds of the game, Nets decided not to foul, hoping to run the clock out. However, Cavs made the most of this opportunity as Hudson hit a three pointer at the buzzer to send this one to over time.
In the extra period, the Nets got ahead early as they started off on a 10-3 run and carved out a 119-112 edge with 1:49 minutes to go. Cavaliers did try to rally their way back into the game but this time around Hudson failed to
connect on a three which could have tied the game at 120 each. On the next possession, Green was fouled and made sure to connect on both of his free throws as the Nets held on for the win.
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