BROOKLYN NETS

The Philadelphia 76iers started tonight hungry to win their first road game, but the Brooklyn Nets were determined to let them starve. Ultimately, this game was the embodiment of ‘Brooklyn Grit’.

But to say that the game began ugly would be a total understatement.

The Nets couldn’t buy a basket, shooting 5-28 in the first quarter — a dismal 18 percent from the floor. Brooklyn also struggled to contain the Sixers’ potent offense, giving them 24 shots at the free throw line by halftime.

At the same time, however, the Nets forced 17 turnovers, allowing them to actually take the lead even as their shots failed to fall. The main reason that they didn’t carry a double-digit lead into the second half was the rebounding differential, 31-14 in favor of the Sixers.

After the break, the Nets shot a much higher percentage, especially in the paint. Sparked by D’Angelo Russell, they found an offensive groove to bust open the lead, even scoring 41 points in the third quarter — a season-high. Bucking the recent trend, the third was their strongest showing in quite some time.

In the end, Brooklyn suffocated the Sixers for the remainder of the game and, most importantly, never gave them a way back in. While the Sixers did grab more rebounds by the final buzzer, the Nets were the ones dominating in the paint, outscoring the Sixers 70-40. That huge gulf, combined with 39 points on 28 turnovers, pushed the Nets well over the top.

The Sixers may eat against most teams, but not tonight against the Nets.