clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Brooklyn Nets outlast Detroit Pistons, 93-90

By ghoti
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Back in December, the Nets played the Pistons in a thrilling contest. There were 212 points scored, a huge Brooklyn crowd and Joe Johnson was the hero. Jerry Seinfeld reveled in delight as Ian Eagle shouted "It was REAL, and it was SPECTACULAR!"

Tonight, they played again. The contest was far from thrilling. There were 183 points scored, a miniscule Detroit crowd and Joe Johnson was not exactly the hero. Jerry Seinfeld was nowhere to be found - the related reference this time that this was a "bizarro" version of the previous game.

And for the Nets, the victory was real, but it was hardly spectacular.

Brook Lopez had a spectacular moment with 17 seconds left. With the Nets up 1, he caught the ball 15 feet out on the left block. Last night in the loss to the Lakers, he shot several fadeaways down the stretch in the same position and he beat himself up about it after the game. This time, he went a different route.

"I was just more aggressive." said the All-Star big man. "Specifically in that last shot, to finish strong."

After making several moves to get closer, he finished around the helpless Greg Monroe to put the Nets up 3.

After a Monroe layup, Johnson, who had a rough game, made two free throws to put the Nets back up 3. The Pistons - with no timeouts - rushed it up the floor, but Will Bynum's heave never threatened the twine, and the Nets held on for the win.

Five Nets starters reached double figures, led by Lopez with 17. Johnson had 16 on 5-15 shooting. Reggie Evans was their leading scorer in an uninspiring first half with 8. He wound up with 10 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Deron Williams had 12 points and 9 helpers on 4-10 shooting while recording his 5,000th NBA assist.

Monroe led the Pistons with 23 points and 10 rebounds in a solid effort. Bynum chipped in 13 with 7 assists off the bench. Andre Drummond, the 19-year-old who has looked dominant defensively at times this season left the game early with a back injury and did not return.

The Nets are now 29-20, 5th in the East and 4.5 games behind the leaders, the Miami Heat. The Pistons go to 18-32, 10th in the East and 8 games behind the 8th place Boston Celtics for the final playoff spot.

Quick Notes:

- Mirza Teletovic started the 4th quarter. He entered to cheers from a contingent of Bosnian fans that were chanting for him to play all evening. He rewarded them by hoisting three consecutive airballs and was immediately removed from the game. He played 4:17 and his stat line was empty.

- Gerald Wallace got a faceful of Jose Calderon's shoulder in the 4th and appeared dazed. He stopped and grabbed his head while play was going on until the Nets called a timeout. He remained in the game.

- "Brooklyn's Backcourt" of Williams and Johnson shot 18-53 over the last two nights.

- The Pistons outscored the Nets 17-2 in fast break points.

- The attendance was listed at 12,576. The Palace is a big arena, but that total appeared very generous. The crowd looked like what you would expect for a high school game. Pistons fans are not into rebuilding, I guess.

- The Nets had lost ten straight at the Palace of Auburn Hills before last night.

In This Stream

Game 49: Brooklyn Nets @ Detroit Pistons

View all 9 stories

More From NetsDaily