Remember when Deron Williams reentered the discussion of "best PG in the NBA" (well, second-best, anyway)? During game one of the series, D-Will did his thing, scoring 22 points on 9-15 shooting to go with Brook Lopez's 21 points and five boards. They brushed Chicago aside, 106-89 and had people anticipating a Nets vs. Heat second round.
Apparently D-Will and Joe Johnson thought they were already there, leaving Brook Lopez to do all the dirty work. He made jumper after jumper in the first half, keeping the Nets within comeback range, but by the time Johnson found his shot in the fourth quarter — after going scoreless in the second and third — it was too late. Chicago spread the ball all night, and Kirk Hinrich made some big plays to keep Brooklyn at bay, winning 106-89.
At least the music was good in the Barclays Center. On to game three in Chi town on Thursday.
Brook Lopez single-handedly bringing the Nets back. Backpeddling right after he releases his jumpers. Not a doubt.
— NBA Guru (@NBAGuru) April 23, 2013
Brook Lopez is doing the heavy lifting in Brooklyn tonight. He has 14 pts at half, no other Net has more than 7. Nets trail by 1.
— Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) April 23, 2013
Nets look to Brook Lopez early & it works (1Qs: 40%FG Feb., 62% April). Bulls look to Joakim Noah to stay upright: on.nba.com/17e0FR5
— Steve Aschburner (@AschNBA) April 22, 2013
This is turning into a Brook Lopez jump-shooting drill. Which actually works pretty well for the Nets. #AmexNBA
— Lang Whitaker (@langwhitaker) April 23, 2013
Someone actually asked Brook Lopez who has the best shot of breaking Wilt's *ahem* record. And he actually answered. thebrooklyngame.com/this-interview…
— devin kharpertian (@uuords) April 20, 2013
With 14 points from Brook Lopez (and none from Deron Williams, who has 8 assists), Nets trail Bulls 47-46 at halftime here in Brooklyn.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) April 23, 2013
Brook Lopez is shooting Bulls in a barrel.A really huge barrel with Wi-Fi. He's 6-9 from the field. #Nets
— Hooped Up (@hoopedup) April 23, 2013
Offensively, might not be a better center in the NBA today than Brook Lopez. Had 21 points in Game 1. Has 14 in the first half of Game 2
— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) April 23, 2013
Brook Lopez is definitely one of the NBA's best outside-shooting bigs.
— DeAntae Prince (@DeAntae) April 23, 2013
Joe Johnson has been especially terrible this evening.
— Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) April 23, 2013
Joe Johnson is playing like he's making $1.23 and not the 123 million he signed for.
— Jerald Hoover NBA (@jerryhoover65) April 23, 2013
If Joe Johnson does nothing else, he has to hit open 3-pointers. And he misses that one.
— Stefan Bondy (@NYDNInterNets) April 23, 2013
Joe Johnson didn't look like he moved very well after making that 3-pointer. He has been battling a heel injury.
— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 23, 2013
If Joe Johnson made as many buckets as he do 0's on his checks, he could be a top 5 player in the nba
— From 3 with Jaytee (@The_Black_Elite) April 23, 2013
Joe Johnson's 1st points since the 1st quarter…Jimmy's done a good job on him
— Aggrey Sam (@CSNBullsInsider) April 23, 2013
Backcourt struggles for the #Nets tonight: through 3 quarters, Deron Williams & Joe Johnson have combined for 13 pts on 22.2% shooting.
— Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) April 23, 2013
We all thought Deron Williams was "back".
— D'Brickashaw (@DragonflyJonez) April 23, 2013
Kirk Hinrich 10 points, Deron Williams 2 points. Bulls lead by 7.
— NBA Guru (@NBAGuru) April 23, 2013
Deron Williams is not playing like a Besiktas legend tonight.
— Hooped Up (@hoopedup) April 23, 2013
What happened to the Deron Williams we saw in Game 1/the last few weeks?
— Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) April 23, 2013
I've said this before though: the #Nets have the best in-game music!! Forget AC/DC & other rock/pop randomness. DJ Envy keeps it moving!!
— Risse8 (@ReReBreakers) April 23, 2013
