The Nets are coming off their first back-to-back of the season, losing the first game of the season and the back-to-back on Sunday in heartbreaking fashion to the Charlotte Hornets by two points, 106-104. They came home, and the Grizzlies took advantage of the fact that Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were out on mandatory rest days. The Grizzlies took down the Nets in overtime 116-111 with four players in double figures and two over 20 points. Grizzlies Small Forward Kyle Anderson had a career game playing 38 minutes, scoring 28 points, and grabbing 7 rebounds, helping secure Brooklyn’s first losing streak of the season.
The Nets back up Small Forward, who stepped into the starting role for this game with the injury to Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyrie and Kevin Durant on rest days; Timothe Luwawu-Caberot had a career night as well, scoring 21 points on 40 minutes of playing time to go along with six rebounds. Timothe also goes by “TLC,” so we will be referring to him by that. TLC also made 3 three-point attempts along with fellow back up Chris Chiozza. Chiozza had never played more than 23 minutes in an NBA game, but with the injuries, he had a much bigger role, and he rose to the challenge. Chiozza had 14 points and 4 assists on 26 minutes of play, also adding 3 three-pointers of his own down the stretch to help force the game to OT.
Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant, unfortunately, suffered a severe ankle injury in the second quarter and had to be carted off the floor via wheelchair. He went up to block a shot attempt by TLC and came down on TLC’s foot, and he twisted his ankle very harshly. He did return to the Grizzlies bench in a walking boot later in the game. It has been diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, do not expect to see Morant on the floor anytime soon. This was a big win for the Grizzlies because they are also without their other young star, Center Jaren Jackson Jr. Shooting Guard Dillon Brooks had a major part in the Grizzlies win, he dropped 24 points and seven rebounds to go along with clutch free throws in regulation to help send it to OT.
In OT, both teams came out cold to start. The youth of the players on the court really showed up in OT. The Nets started OT on an 0/6 shooting run, and the Grizzlies went 1/5 to start OT. The Grizzlies outrebounded the Nets 13-6 in OT, and that is what helped put Memphis on top for good. Brandon Clarke got two key offensive rebounds and got fouled, and he hit some clutch free throws to put the Grizzlies ahead.
While the Nets lost, there were still glimmers of hope like TLC’s emergence as a legit role player who deserves more playing time, Chris Chiozza has fit into his new role as the backup point guard nicely, and Jarrett Allen is still one of the best offensive rebounders in the entire NBA. If these young players like Caris LeVert and Joe Harris can start hitting shots in crunch time with a minute or less on the clock, then this Nets team will be scary. If not, then this team will only go as far as Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving take them.
The Nets stay at home and will try to get back on track after back-to-back losses as they take on the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday and Friday night, both 7:30 pm tip-offs.
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