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CARIS LEVERT HITS GAME-WINNING BASKET TO LIFT NETS OVER KNICKS, 107-105

By Anthony Puccio

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NBA: New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A star is born in Caris LeVert.

With the game tied at 105 apiece and time winding down, LeVert took it to the hole and finished the basket with one second remaining.

Here was the game-winner:

After the game, LeVert told his coach, “Coach, I owed you one from the Detroit game.”

Tim Hardaway would miss on the ensuing possession and the Nets would go on to win their first game of the year, 107-105, Friday night at Barclays Center. And their first win over their crosstown rival since the 2016-17 season.

“I just wanted to get the shot that I wanted. I wanted to get the last shot,” said LeVert after the game.

LeVert finished with a career-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. He scored 15 of his points in the fourth quarter, giving the Nets a free night to sleep after falling short in Detroit on Wednesday.

The two teams went back and forth in the final moments. With the Nets up three, Enes Kanter took it strong to the cup and finished on an and-one to tie the game at 105 apiece. Kanter had another strong outing against the Nets with 29 points and 10 rebounds.

The Nets out-rebounded the Knicks by 19 and shot an impressive 40 percent from deep, but committed 22 turnovers to New York’s three. That’s what kept this game close and almost haunted the Nets in the end.

But thanks to LeVert, they won!

Kenny Atkinson was ecstatic after the game said about LeVert: “Heck of a job on both ends of the floor -- he was our leader tonight.”

Atkinson also revealed that LeVert told him: “I owe you one,” after the Detroit game.

Jarrett Allen had another big night with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots, while D’Angelo Russell chipped in 15.

And finally, after being swept by the Knicks last year, the Nets took them down in dramatic fashion. Brooklyn fans chanted, “This is our home!” at Knicks fans as they walked out.

The Nets are now 1-1 on the season and 6-1 in home debuts at Barclays Center.

JARRETT ALLEN GETS KEVIN KNOX

ENES KANTER... BROOKLYN FOE?

New York’s big man typically plays well against the Nets and he’s even better at trolling them off the floor. Although the Twitter “beef” wasn’t serious, Dinwiddie and Kanter went back and forth during the dog days of summer.

Last January, after Dudley called him a “fake tough guy” following an altercation with Devin Booker, Kanter shot back by suggesting Dudley had a “retirement body” and should go “get on the treadmill.”

At the very least, these encounters give the dull rivalry a little more juice.

CELEBRATING HOME OPENER

This season marks the 43rd season for the Nets and they tried to make it a special opening night for the Brooklyn fans. They’ve taken the initiative by forming “The Block” this season — the section filled with passionate fans who needed to audition for season tickets in section 114. Fans arrived early for a pregame celebration on Barclays Center’s Resorts World Casino NYC Plaza, at 4:30 p.m, where they were accompanied by Nets’ greats, Buck Williams, Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson, and Kerry Kittles.

The Nets, who rarely have halftime shows, headlined Brooklyn’s own hip-hop artist Joey Bada$$ and Max Schneider (MAX) during the intermission.

And, to cap things off, the Empire State building was lit up in Brooklyn’s black and white.

NEW BACKDROP... AND WALL ART

In Brooklyn’s locker room...

Outside the visitor’s locker room...

***

All that and a win. Couldn’t have asked for any better for the Nets.

For another perspective, head on over to our sister site, Posting and Toasting.

The Nets will face off against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow at 7:00 PM.

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