Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards Recap: Nets “B” Team Beats Wizards

Andray Blatche

With 6 of their key players out, the Brooklyn Nets came from behind to defeat the Washington Wizards 106-101 Monday night in the second to last game of the regular season. The Nets were down by as many as 17 points in the first half and did not take their first lead of the game until midway through the fourth quarter. Brooklyn got a very balanced effort and 7 players scored in double-figures led by 20 points a piece from Andray Blatche and Kris Humphries. John Wall had 18 points and 12 assists for Washington.

Without their starters, Brooklyn’s defense really struggled in the first quarter when they gave up 34 points to Washington and trailed by 13. The Wizards were hitting most of their perimeter shots too, led by John Wall and Cartier Martin. The Nets fought back in the second quarter, led by the two Euro-Nets, Mirza Teletovic and Toko Shengelia. Andray Blatche and Kris Humphries also contributed and the Nets trailed by just 6 at halftime. The Nets did a nice job in the third quarter staying in the game. They cut Washington’s lead down to just 4 heading into the fourth quarter even though they had still never led in the game. In the fourth, the Nets woke up and really turned this into an exciting game. Everyone who played tonight had some contribution and it was a great team effort. Mirza Teletovic, Andray Blatche, Toko Shengelia, and Tyshawn Taylor all had especially good fourth quarters to give the Nets this win.

Even though this game does not matter in terms of playoff positioning, this was a great team chemistry-building win. It also gave lots of confidence to the Nets’ bench players. Everyone on this team can play and even the 15th man Toko Shengelia had a double-double. The Nets have a very deep team, which is a key in the playoffs.

More important than this Nets win, which is meaningless in the standings, Chicago defeated Orlando 102-84 tonight to pull within a half game of Atlanta for the 5-seed and the right to play the Nets in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta will host Toronto tomorrow night and both teams will also play on Wednesday.

For a box score of this game, click here. 

Player grades and notes: 

Kris Humphries: B+

Humphries thought he was in New Jersey for this game, and had a New Jersey Nets-type performance, finishing with 20 points and 9 rebounds. He did not play in crunch time to give the younger players some experience.

Gerald Wallace: D-

This was an opportunity for Gerald Wallace to regain some confidence against a really bad team and he didn’t take advantage. He was only 1-3 from the field and 0-3 from the foul line in 22 minutes with 0 rebounds and 2 assists. This was the game for Wallace to chuck up a bunch of shots and hopefully get in a rhythm. He did not do that. I am concerned about him heading into the playoffs.

Andray Blatche: A-

Blatche showed how far he has come this year in tonight’s game. He was under control throughout the night and willed the Nets to the win. He finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds and he had some important plays, including one huge and-1 in the last minute of the game. Blatche will be an important player for the Nets when the palyoffs start.

C.J. Watson: B-

Watson was not asked to do much tonight and he did not do much. He had 11 points and only 2 assists, but he was benched in favor of Tyshawn Taylor to get Tyshawn some late game experience in the fourth quarter.

Marshon Brooks: B

Marshon could have taken over more than he did tonight on offense, but I’m glad he didn’t to get the less experienced players some serious in-game action. Still, Marshon finished with 12 points. He didn’t force many shots and he didn’t make any bad plays.

Tyshawn Taylor: B+

Tyshawn had a really nice game, including hitting the dagger 3. He finished with 14 points and 3 assists and was 3-3 from 3 in 24 minutes. He was very excited about tonight’s win and about how well he played.

Toko Shengelia: A+

Who doesn’t love Toko? This guy deserves so much credit. He has barely played this season, but has stayed ready for this opportunity. He had a double-double and career highs in both points and rebounds with 11 and 11. He also had 1 huge block and another one that was waived off because of a foul. Toko’s the man.

Mirza Teletovic: A-

Mirza had a quiet first 3 quarters, but he woke up in the fourth to hit 2 huge 3’s. He finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

The Nets will play their last game of the regular season on Wednesday against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center. FRWD will have full coverage of the game.