The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets 135-130. This was a game the Nets desperately needed to win. The Nets came into this game losers of 4 out of their last 5. It did not look good early for Brooklyn, as Denver opened the game on an 8-0 run and eventually got their lead to 13 points. The Nets bounced back well, and went into the second quarter only down 5. Things then went stagnant for Denver in the second quarter. Brooklyn outscored the Nuggets 42-25 in the second quarter to take a 12 point lead into halftime. The Nets were clicking on all cylinders, as they were hitting their threes and playing good defense. The Nets continued their strong play in the third quarter, outscoring the Nuggets 36-27. The Nets kind of went into cruise control in the 4th quarter after having a 21 point lead. The Nuggets outscored the Nets 43-27 in the 4th quarter, but it was too little too late. The Nets always have to make a game interesting. They could have defeated the Nuggets by double digits, but only ended up winning by 5. This was one of the better Nets victories of the season, as Denver is second in the Western Conference. Brooklyn swept the season series with the Nuggets, which is a huge accomplishment for a young team. The Nets will face the Bulls on Friday, and they might just see the return of Caris LeVert. It would be huge if LeVert could return and help the Nets get their depth back.

The Nets were once again led by D’Angelo Russell. Russell finished with a double double, recording 27 points and 11 assists on 6-9 shooting from deep. Russell has carried the Nets lately, and he continued his all star efforts tonight. Shabazz Napier also finished with a double double, recording 10 points and 11 assists. Napier has stepped in nicely after Spencer Dinwiddie’s injury as the backup point guard. The last double double for the Nets tonight was DeMarre Carroll who finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Carroll has been crucial off the bench for the Nets all season, and he continued to lead this young Nets team tonight. Joe Harris (17 points on 7-13 shooting) Jarrett Allen (15 points and 5 rebounds) Treveon Graham (16 points on 6-9 shooting) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (15 points on 6-10 shooting) all pitched in good games in the Nets high scoring performance. Lastly, Allen Crabbe (5 points and 3 assists) provided the Nets bench with some much needed depth in his return after missing 26 games with a knee injury.

For the Nuggets, it was the big men who led the way. All star Nikola Jokic finished with a triple double, recording 25 points 14 rebounds and 10 assists. Jokic destroys the Nets every time these two teams match up, and he continued his dominance tonight. Former Net Mason Plumlee also had a good game, finishing with 24 points and 6 rebounds on 10-12 shooting. Lastly, Jamal Murray finished with a double double (19 points and 11 assists) in his return to the lineup. The Nuggets will look to forget these last two games, as it is the first time since December that they have lost back to back games.

What’s Next?

Brooklyn remains home to face the Bulls Friday night, while the Nuggets head to Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Friday night.

#WeGoHard