Lopez, Young Lead Nets Over Hawks

Thaddeus Young (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) — The Brooklyn Nets have been playing much better basketball as of late, and it showed on Tuesday night.

Brook Lopez had 24 points and 10 rebounds as the Nets edged the Atlanta Hawks 90-88 for their second victory of the season.  Thaddeus Young added 16 points and 11 boards.

Joe Johnson played the role of facilitator in the fourth quarter, helping the Nets hold off one of the East’s best teams.  He flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds.

The defining moment of this one came with less than 5 seconds to play in regulation and the game tied at 88.  Johnson threw a pass to Young on the fast break.  He drove to the rim and was fouled hard.  He calmly sank both free throws to give the Nets a 90-88 lead.  Young also deflected the ensuing inbounds pass to seal the victory.

Lack of consistent 3-point shooting has plagued the Nets in nearly every game they’ve played this season.  On Tuesday night, they shot 45% from deep as a team, which is a huge reason why they were able to compete with the team that eliminated them from the playoffs last May.

Al Horford paced the Hawks with 18 points in the loss.

Notes:  The Nets won for the first time at Barclays Center this season.  They had lost their first three home games to the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Lakers respectively.

The starting lineup of Johnson, Lopez, Young, Jarrett Jack and rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has started to click for the Nets.  The team has been much improved overall when these five players are on the floor together.

Johnson has connected on at least one field goal in 895 consecutive games.  It is the longest active streak in the NBA.

Shane Larkin continued his hot play off the bench for Brooklyn.  He scored 14 points and had two steals.  He also shot 4-for-6 from long range.

Andrea Bargnani played only four minutes on Tuesday night.  He went scoreless and was a -12 for the game.

The Hawks were playing without guards Jeff Teague and Kent Bazemore.  They have now lost three straight.