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It really is a love/hate relationship with the Nets. Saturday was the latest example.
After leading by 16 at halftime following a 57-point outburst, it looked as if the Nets had all momentum following their 35-point victory on Friday. Not happening. The offense of Victor Oladipo and the defense of Myles Turner helped rally Indy late as they defeated the Nets in overtime, 123-119, Saturday night in Indiana.
Unlike Friday when the Nets came on strong in the third, they fell apart after the half. The Pacers adjusted and out-scored the Nets 39-24 in the quarter and dropped 70 total in the second half.
Brooklyn managed to come back from an eight-point deficit with 1:27 left and took Indiana into overtime. It ended there.
The Nets started their last ditch effort when Allen Crabbe converted on a four-point play at 1:23, bringing the deficit down to four. The teams battled, and Indiana missed 2-of-4 free throws in the final minute, which kept Brooklyn within striking distance.
They had possession as they trailed by three with 21.8 seconds left. Then, the big play. Spencer Dinwiddie was fouled behind the perimeter and nailed all three free throws. Victor Oladipo missed on a contested 3-pointer and this game headed to overtime, where the Nets spent most of the three minutes behind the Pacers.
Then, with 12 seconds left in OT, the Nets had the ball, down two. Dinwiddie, the hero seconds earlier, let the clock wind down and missed on a potential game-winning 3-pointer with 0.9 second left. The Nets fouled and appropriately, Oladipo (38 points) sealed the deal at the line.
Post-game, Kenny Atkinson said he didn’t have a problem with the shot, that he’s a big fan of going for the win on the road.
Dinwiddie led Brooklyn with a career-high 26 points and eight assists – 14 of his points coming in the fourth quarter and overtime periods. DeMarre Carroll finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 18 points and eight rebounds.
The Nets shot 16-of-36 from 3-point range and out-rebounded the Pacers 51-41, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Oladipo. Myles Turner finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and SIX blocked shots.
ENDING 2017 WITH A BANG
Talk about a tough way to finish out 2017. Saturday was the first game of a five-game road-trip, one that will have them close out the calendar year against Boston on New Year’s Eve. After Indiana, it’s San Antonio, New Orleans, Miami and Boston.
The Nets will travel home Saturday night so they can spend some time with their families for Christmas.
For a different perspective, head on over to Indy Cornrows.
And on that note, on behalf of the entire NetsDaily crew, we’d like to wish everybody a Happy Holiday!
- Game Report: Indiana Pacers 123, Brooklyn Nets 119 (OT) - NBA.com
- Highlights: Nets nail nine three points in first half (Video) - NBA.com
- Hollis-Jefferson gets it to go (Video) - NBA.com
- Hollis-Jefferson scores and one (Video) - NBA.com
- Allen throws it down (Video) - NBA.com
- Crabbe sinks the three (Video) - NBA.com
- LeVert from downtown plus one (Video) - NBA.com
- Nets Post Game Plus: BKN@IND (Video) - Chris Shearn - YES Network
- Atkinson on letting the lead slip away (Video) - YES Network
- Carroll on Pacers' physicality (Video) - YES Network
- Hollis-Jefferson on tough loss (Video) - YES Network
- Oladipo scores 38, Pacers rally to beat Nets 123-119 in OT (Dec 23, 2017) - AP
- Nets blow big early lead, fall in overtime to Pacers - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Spencer Dinwiddie’s career night ends with a thud - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Nets open big lead in first half, then fall to Pacers in overtime - Paul Shepherd - Newsday
- Pacers down Nets despite comeback effort in first overtime of season (Game Grades) - The Brooklyn Game
- Oladipo keeps showing Pacers fans that Indy is 'My city' - Dakota Crawford - Indianapolis Star