It took a little longer than the New Jersey Nets would have liked, but they have finally picked up that elusive 13th victory after taking out the Cleveland Cavaliers 103-101 Monday night in Newark. The Nets have now won more games than they did all of last season.
New Jersey certainly had to earn this one, storming back from a second quarter 12 point deficit to take the lead for good in the final seconds thanks to Brook Lopez.
Lopez led the Nets in scoring for the seventh straight game, putting up 28 points on 10-for-20 shooting including a jumper with 1.4 seconds remaining as Cleveland was trying to give a foul. Over the last seven games, Lopez is averaging 24.9 points on 57% shooting fromt he field with 5.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
Anthony Morrow scored 10 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Devin Harris added 14.
"It was kind of like Mariano Rivera," head coach Avery Johnson said referencing the New York Yankees legendary closer. "We brought Anthony Morrow out of the bullpen and [he] helped us close this game."
"That's big right there," Morrow responded when told of the comparison. "Gotta get that Mariano Rivera money."
Byron Scott's Cavs have now lost 17 in a row and have a league-worst eight wins on the season.
Antawn Jamison had 26 points for Byron Scott's Cavs who have now lost 17 in a row and have a league-worst eight wins on the season. Daniel Gibson scored 19, though his potential game-winning three at the buzzer
Daniel Gibson scored 19, though his potential game-winning three at the buzzer was just short.
The Nets have now won three of four since owner Mikhail Prokhorov announced the team would be walking away from trade discussions with the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony. New Jersey wraps up their five game homestand Wednesday night against a Memphis Grizzlies team that has taken five of their last seven, including two in a row on the road.