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Cliff Alexander has another big game but Long Island loses in Texas

By Net Income
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What’s a fella gotta do to get called up?

Cliff Alexander scored 30 points on 13-of-16 shooting, missing his two three-pointers, as the Long Island Nets lost another game on THEIR circus road trip, this time to the Rio Grande Vipers, 121-114.

Alexander, a 6’8”, 250 pounder acquired by the Nets a month ago, has played increasingly well over the last five game. In that stretch, Alexander has averaged 23.4 points while shooting 52-of-81, 64.2 percent. He’s also grabbed an average of 10.1 rebounds.

While no one is saying Alexander could get a call-up for Brooklyn’s last roster spot, his name has to be on any short list. He’s only 21, eight months younger than Isaiah Whitehead, the Nets youngest player currently.

The young Nets played well during the game, getting close repeatedly in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 113 with 1:48 left. The Vipers went on an 8-1 run to close out the game and get the win.

In addition to Alexander, the Nets had four other players in double figures. Trahson Burrell finished with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting. He did his usual box score filling as well, with five assists, four rebounds and two steals, blocks and three pointers. He did turn the ball over five times. Despite an off night shooting (7-of-18 overall, 3-of-13 from deep), R.J. Hunter scored 18 points and J.J. Moore had 17. Tim Quarterman, the Blazers rookie point guard on assignment with Long Island, finished with 13 assists, many going to Alexander.

Darius Morris, the former Nets, had had nine assists coming off the bench for RGV.

The Vipers started to find separation in the third quarter. Chinanu Onuaku scored eight points in the period as Isaiah Taylor added another eight to outscore the Nets 23-17 on the third quarter.

In the final minute of the game, Alexander had a dunk to tie the game. After Isaiah Taylor’s two-pointer, Chris Johnson’s free throws made it a two score lead. Onuaku would steal the ball and set himself up for a self ally-oop to seal the game.

Full game video can be found here.

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