Lopez Dominates as Nets Complete Season Sweep of Rockets

Brook Lopez (AP Photo)

(NEW YORK) — Just who exactly are these Brooklyn Nets?

After a horrendous weekend that featured blow out losses to the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, the Nets blew by the Houston Rockets 110-105 on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.

With the win, the Nets completed a season sweep of the Rockets for the first time since the 2001-02 season.  They also defeated the Rockets in Houston no November 11 for their first victory of the year.

Brook Lopez led the Nets (6-15) with 24 points, while Joe Johnson had a vintage performance.  He finished with 22 points and eight assists, but hit several clutch shots in the fourth quarter to keep the Nets in front.

All five Brooklyn starters scored in double figures as the team shot nearly 56% from the field for the game.  Bojan Bogdanovic was particularly impressive, finishing with 19 points and 5 rebounds filling in for injured rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.  Thaddeus Young continued his solid season as well, posting 20 points and 12 boards.

Marcus Thornton led the Rockets (10-12) with 32 points off the bench to go alone with Corey Brewer’s 22.  They fell behind by as many as 18 points before staging a huge fourth quarter rally.   Houston got to within three points in the game’s final minute.  Bogdanovic missed a three-pointer, but Lopez tapped the ball out to Jarrett Jack, who was fouled.  He sank both free throws to seal the victory.

Here are some additional thoughts on the Nets’ victory:

Not the prettiest game:  The Nets and Rockets combined for 48 total turnovers.  If you do the math, that is one turnover per minute.  The Nets may have won, but this game wasn’t exactly a sight for sore eyes.

Home Sweet Home:  The Nets won at home for the 5th time in their last six home games.  They are also 5-6 since starting the season 1-9.  It may be a long season in Brooklyn, but at least they’ve shown that they can be a competitive team.

Where were James Harden and Dwight Howard?   Harden had arguably his worst game of the season for the Rockets.  He finished with a season-low 10 points, on 2-of-8 shooting.  He also was responsible for seven of the Rockets’ 24 turnovers.  Howard chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort for Houston.

Hollis-Jefferson on the mend:  Brooklyn’s prized rookie will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair his fractured right ankle.  Coach Lionel Hollins said before the game that he expects Hollis-Jefferson to miss around 10 weeks.  He was seen at Tuesday night’s game wearing a walking boot.

Up next for the Nets is a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.