clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rejuvenated Brooklyn Nets step on Denver with 110-82 victory in the Mile-High city

By Anthony Puccio
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets stayed undefeated in the post-Kevin Garnett era with the Denver Nuggets being their latest victim, 110-82.

Garnett was the old Nets. Nowadays (one week later), the Nets are a young, athletic and versatile basketball team and it only gets better: They'll soon have another young and athletic player in Thomas Robinson to add to this fun bunch that has won two straight since coming back from the All-Star break.

The Nets finished the first quarter Monday on a 14-3 run and they never looked back.  They outscored the Nuggets 28-22 in the second then 31-24 in the third to build their lead up 16 prior to the fourth quarter. From that point on, the game was over early.

Deron Williams once again looked like his old All-Star self. Williams ended the first half leading all scorers and finished the game with a rather sexy double-double with 16 points, 12 assists, five rebounds and one steal. It's a small sample size of two games, but two back-to-back double-double games --average of 14 points and 13.5 assists-- are extremely encouraging to see. If he can get on his horse and lead the attack the rest of the way, the Nets may find themselves in a much better position than the eighth seed come season's end.

D-Will also assisted on a THE highlight reel of the night, an alley-oop to rookie Markel Brown, who also impressed with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and two steals in his first NBA start. If you wanted Markel to be free'd, you got your wish. He clearly prospered with a double-double ... in 45 minutes of play!

It appears Williams and the revamped Brooklyn Nets have also found the silver lining to their season and Thaddeus Young appears to be a big part of so.

From diving on loose balls to posting as a legitimate threat on the offensive side of the ball, Young proved his stripes Monday night in Denver. It was just his second game with the team, but he made the most of his minutes and finished with 15 points, two blocks and one steal on 6-of-11 shooting. He played 24 minutes and seemed to have given this team an identity.

The Nets as a whole shot 47% from the field, but scored 62 points in the paint, blocked nine shots and forced 15-Denver turnovers. It was a dominant performance from the team and a dominant performance from the emerging sixth man of the year, Brook Lopez. The big fella finished with 19 points and nine rebounds.

Seven Nets' players finished in double figures.

Alan Anderson had another big night with 13 points; Mason Plumlee with 14 in 16 minutes and Joe Johnson with 12 points and eight rebounds.

For Denver, Danilo Gallinari led the way with 22 points and two steals. Will Barton came off the bench and chipped in 15 points.

Quarter by quarter summary:

First quarter ... The Nuggets made their stand early with a 20-12 opening start, but the Nets answered with a 14-3 run to finish out. It was the injection of Thaddeus Young & Brook Lopez that sparked the Nets on both ends of the ball. Young was an instant difference maker scoring seven points in four minutes played on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting. He looked to be exactly what the doctor ordered in Brooklyn. Behind the 14-3 jolt, they led 26-23 after the first quarter.

Second quarter ... The Nets finished the second quarter on a 9-0 run and outscored the Nuggets 28-22 to put them up nine at the half. Deron Williams looked.... like .... vintage D-Will. Sometimes afraid to say it. He finished the half leading all scorers with 10 points and seven assists on 4-of-8 shooting.

The Nets' new big four composed of D-Will (10), Joe Johnson (10), Brook Lopez (9) and Thaddeus Young (9) combined for 38 points in the first half.

It was their game to lose.

Score at the half: Nets 54, Nuggets 45.

Third quarter ... Six Nets were in double figures by the end of the third. Two Nuggets were in double figures. Subtract the two numbers then add 12 and that's what the Nets lead was after the third quarter. And if you're like me -- a very bad mathematician -- you probably didn't figure out the score. They led by 16 after outscoring Denver 31-24 in the quarter and shooting close to 50% from the field. This game looked to be over with the Nets out in front, 85-69.

Fourth quarter ... The Nets were up 16 heading into the fourth quarter and all they had to do was not collapse. They outscored the Nuggets 24-11 in the fourth and this game was over earlier than usual.

Final score: Nets 110, Nuggets 82.

FREE PIZZA: With the Nets' win, fans can - get 50% off with the promo code NETSWIN at papajohns.com.

For more on the Denver Nuggets, check them out at The Bird Writes.

More From NetsDaily