The Nets defeated the Miami Heat 102-86 on Friday at Barclays Center, avenging a previous home loss to the same club on Jan. 25. While they struggled shooting the ball through three quarters, stifling defense down the stretch fueled a surprising blowout win.
“Like I said 100 times, credit to the coaching staff,” D’Angelo Russell said. “At halftime they let us know where we needed to be better as a group. We shifted our focus, executed, simple as that.”
As good as Brooklyn looked on defense when it mattered, it appeared lost at that end in the opening minutes. The Heat opened the game with a Duncan Robinson 3-pointer, followed by three straight lobs, and eventually built a 16-5 lead with 7:08 left in the first quarter.
Luckily, it didn’t take long for the Nets to find their composure after that sluggish start. Russell and Cam Johnson got involved on offense. They tightened up on defense. And somehow, Brooklyn turned an 11-point deficit into a 28-26 lead entering the second quarter.
While the Nets’ starters outscored Miami’s 17-7 in the second quarter, the reserves had no answer for Terry Rozier, who poured in 12 points in the period. Because of his flurry, and poor shooting, Brooklyn couldn’t create separation on the scoreboard. It still managed to play the visitors to a 53-53 tie the first half.
Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro combined for 17 points in the third quarter, spearheading a 50% shooting effort for Miami, while no Nets player scored more than five. Brooklyn shot just 29.2% in the period and committed five turnovers, which created a 77-71 deficit entering the final frame.
“I think the effort defensively was on and off,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “But in that fourth quarter, I think was consistent.”
The Nets simply flipped a switch in the fourth quarter. They took complete control of the game defensively. The Nets scored more than 30 points and surrendered fewer than 10 in a fourth quarter for just the second time in franchise history.
Miami couldn’t buy a bucket. Adebayo and Herro were completely shut down. And suddenly, Trendon Watford — who shot 4-for-5 in the period — could hardly miss.
“Just trying to help me team win,” Watford said. “Whatever way I can do that is the way I’m going to do it. So, tonight in the fourth quarter I was able to get some buckets and get some stops.
The Nets opened the fourth quarter on a 14-2 run to take a 97-81 lead with 7:22 left, and didn’t look back. They outscored the Heat 31-9 over the final 12 minutes, limited them to just 9.5% shooting and forced six turnovers.
And that’s how you close a game. Brooklyn improved 18-34 with the win and has now won four of five. Four of those opponents were held under 100 points.
“[Nic Claxton] and [Day’Ron Sharpe] both did a tremendous job being the anchor of our defense,” Fernandez said. “Once again, their communication, being aggressive in their coverages, and that’s contagious. That’s why in that fourth quarter it felt like we were everywhere… It was good to see. Winning the fourth quarter on defense is important.”
Johnson finished with a team-high 18 points while Russell added 17. Claxton contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, notching his 10th double-double of the season. Brooklyn’s 13 total blocks were a season high.
Rozier led Miami with 20 points, four rebounds and two assists.
The Nets will return to action on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center.
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