Bogdanovic Shines as Nets Set Suns

(PHOENIX) — In their first game without Joe Johnson, the Brooklyn Nets looked sharp from start to finish as they defeated the Phoenix Suns 116-106 on Thursday night.

Bojan Bogdanovic stepped into the starting line up in place of Johnson, who was waived by the team earlier in the day.  He led the Nets (16-42) with 24 points.

Brooklyn trailed early, but with Bogdanovic leading the charge, they caught fire and led 34-29 after one.  The second quarter was all Nets, as they went into halftime with a 66-45 lead.  The 66 points was the highest first-half scoring total for the Nets this season.  Their 21-point advantage was a season-best as well.

Phoenix battled back in the third quarter, but the Nets were able to keep their lead until the final buzzer.  The Suns cut the lead to 105-95 with just over two minutes remaining, but could not get any closer.  Thaddeus Young added 18 points, eight rebounds and a career-high seven steals.  All five starters scored in double figures for Brooklyn.  Markel Brown scored 16 points off the bench.

Former Net Mirza Teletovic led the Suns with 30 points and 11 rebounds.  They have now lost 13 straight games, tying a single-season franchise record.

Next up for the Nets is a trip to Salt Lake City on Saturday night to take on the Utah Jazz.