The Nets went to North Carolina tonight to challenge Charlotte. The goal: to recover eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Mission accomplished thanks to a flat earth expert, a certain Kyrie Irving.
For the home score box of this match, click here.
No need to take out the calculator or take the lead too long when attacking this meeting. With an exactly identical record, the Hornets and Nets knew the winner would wake up in the Top 8 in the early morning. A duel against a direct competitor is an appointment that must be marked in the calendar because time is running out. Now one month from the end of the regular season, no game can be left out, especially since we are talking about eighth place, a spot that offers two opportunities to seek the Playoffs (depending on whether we win against the seventh or against the winner of the second match). Beating a rival is therefore a great double operation because it can also be used to afford the tie-breaker, a major asset when doing the accounts. Remaining on four setbacks in a row, the Nets know that they cannot miss each other tonight if they want to continue to believe in a good rise in the standings.
And this game then? It quickly turns to the collective lesson. The Hornets don’t defend, they get eaten up in envy. The penalty is quick and Brooklyn does not hesitate to drive the point home. The name of the executioner? Kyrie Irving. Uncle Drew may divide the fans by his choices and his positions, he can only be unanimous about this match. His stat line: 50 points, 15/19 shooting, 9/12 from parking and 11/13 on the line. Just, wow. The Hornets may not be an amazing defense, but Uncle Drew has had plenty of goodies all night. He was in the zone. You can stick him, put a hand in front of his face if you want, but it doesn’t change anything when he plays like that, it’s remote-controlled to the basket and you end up with your hands on your temples saying to yourself: seriously? According to Matt Williams ofESPN, Kyrie is quite simply the first player in NBA history to plant 50 points with 9 bombs from the parking lot, while shooting 75% shooting. Pulled up by their leader, the Nets did not have to shake too much, even if the revolt of the hornets in the second half had given hope for a closer end to the game. Charlotte will have to show a lot more to hope to nab a preferential spot for the future play-in. The last month of competition promises to be intense for the Top 8!
Kyrie Irving delights with 50 points and Brooklyn recovers eighth place in the East! The expected shock gave way to a one-man show by Uncle Drew. Hopefully he can soon slam it too at home, the Nets would need it.
Text source: ESPN
