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.
However, Brooklyn’s defense looked lost 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. Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell 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 real separation on the scoreboard but still managed to play the Heat relatively even in 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.
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.
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 loss and has now won four of five. Four of those opponents were held under 100 points.
Johnson finished with a team-high 18 points while Russell added 17. Nic Claxton contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, notching his 10th double-double of the season. Brooklyn’s 13 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.