Monday night’s 110-96 win over the Clippers probably shouldn’t be taken as a sign of things to come for the Nets. The Clippers are a terrible team right now. But that doesn’t mean it’s a win that we should write off. The Nets need to learn how to win and how to put teams away.
The Nets were up 76-70 after three quarters. In previous games, the Nets would cough up the lead and end up with the loss. Not so on Monday. The Nets made the key shots and defensive stops necessary to hold on.
“We did it together. We got a chance to get everybody involved. Brook was making shots, [so was] Travis [Outlaw],” said Jordan Farmar. “We got stops when we needed, so it was crucial.” Farmar, who had 15 points and 12 assists in the win, played 34 minutes. Those minutes came because Devin Harris got ejected in the second quarter.
But Monday was only the beginning for the Nets, who were in Utah last night (Wednesday) for game two of a two-game west coast swing. Johnson was proud of his team able to overcome the loss of Harris. “Our team responded well,” Nets coach Avery Johnson said. “We really had some solid performances from some of our guys off the bench.”
Again, it’s only the Clippers. But for a young team like the Nets, any road win should be taken as a positive, especially if it is on the west coast. What happens over the rest of the road strip could really define what the Nets do the rest of the season. The Nets improved to 4-6 after Monday’s win. Wins at Sacramento and Denver on Friday and Saturday could have the Nets at or one game under .500, depending on what happens on Wednesday.
Championships aren’t won in November, but there’s nothing wrong with gaining a little early momentum.