Brooklyn Nets Come Up Big On Biggie Night vs. Knicks, Earn First Home Win of 2017

27. Final. 120. 147. 112

The Brooklyn Nets came to play on Biggie Night. Their last home win was the game in which Randy Foye hit a buzzer beater. The Nets set a new season-high for three-pointers (19) made as they defeated the New York Knicks, 120-112, to break their 16-game home losing streak and get their first home win in 2017.

Brook Lopez led the Brooklyn Nets with 25 points (6-of-9 from three) and six rebounds. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tallied a double-double: 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Lin scored 13 points, most of them coming in the final quarter, and rookie Caris LeVert also scored 13 points.

"“Very thrilling, very happy.” So grateful for all the love Brooklyn has shown for my son.”–Voletta Wallace (Biggie’s Mom)"

Ms. Voletta Wallace, accompanied by Biggie’s wife Faith Evans, and both of their children addressed the crowd before the game. They thanked the crowd for the celebration, and Wallace admitted this game was her first professional game, as she repeated her sons famous words “Brooklyn we did it!”

"“Biggie is a rapper right!?” “Brooklyn Right? Bed-Stuy? He’s Notorious right?”–Brook Lopez"

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There was a feeling that the Nets were trending in the right direction despite coming into the game with the league’s worst record of 11-53. The Nets came into the game 0-10 in the Atlantic Division and had not won a home game since 2016.

Lopez hit his 100th three-pointer in the first quarter, joining the select group of players to have 100 threes and 100 blocks in the same season. The Nets were finding a rhythm on offense, as the Knicks found it difficult to close out on shooters. Brooklyn shot 88.9 percent (8-for-9) from behind the arc in the first quarter to lead New York, 39-26, at the end of one.

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The Nets continued to shoot at a high percentage from deep to start the second quarter, and Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya” could be heard playing throughout Barclays. Midway through the second quarter, the Nets had 28 bench points, compared to the Knicks’ 12 bench points. The Nets broke their franchise record for most threes in one half once LeVert sank their 14th with about four minutes left in the half.

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Brooklyn led New York, 67-49, at halftime, which was their largest halftime lead of the season. The Nets shot 70 percent from deep for the first half, compared to the Knicks 9.1 percent. Brooklyn also had 16 assists in the first half. Lopez led the Nets in scoring with 15 points, going 5-of-5 from long range.

Turnovers would be costly for the Nets, as the Knicks cut the deficit to single digits in the third quarter. Lack of awareness, whether it be the shot clock, bad passes, bad shots, or not taking advantage of mismatches, hurt Brooklyn’s lead. The Nets were up by as much as 22 points in the third, but found their lead at 11 to close the third, 91-80.

Fortunately, Brooklyn was able to close out the game, thanks in large part to Lin’s contributions down the stretch. Despite being outscored 63-53 in the second half, the Nets hung on to win, 120-112.

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The Nets get their 12th win of the season and only need one more to avoid matching their franchise’s worst record.