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Nets beat Lakers 115-110, extend winning streak to six games
By InsideHoops.comDecember 19, 2018
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Behind 22 points, 13 assists and a huge clutch late-game shot from former Laker D'Angelo Russell, the Nets stood loud and proud in Brooklyn on Tuesday and beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 115-110. The Nets have now won six games in a row, which is the longest current winning streak in the NBA.In the win for the Nets, shooting guard Joe Harris hit 7-of-13 field goals for 19 points. Guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who recently signed a sizable contract extension, continued to prove himself worthy of that deal and came off the bench to shoot 6-of-11 for 18 points. Starting forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 17 and grabbed eight rebounds. The Nets also got a big boost from former starter Jared Dudley, who shot 6-of-8 for 13 points and five rebounds.
With 22 seconds left in the game, Russell hit a three-point from 26 feet out that put the Nets up six. James quickly answered with a three-pointer of his own with 17 seconds left to make it a three-point game, but the Nets were able to hold on to pull off an absolutely thrilling victory.
Dinwiddie entered this game as the leading scorer off the bench in the entire NBA, and the league's second leading assist-producer off the bench.
In the loss for the Lakers, LeBron James shot 13-of-23 for 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, plus five turnovers. Lonzo Ball shot 9-of-16 for 23 points and six rebounds, though his assist and turnover totals were equal -- both three. Forward Kyle Kuzma shot 9-of-21 for 22 points plus 11 rebounds. Shooting guard Josh Hart shot just 2-of-10.
Both teams struggled from free throw line: Nets 13-of-19, Lakers 13-of-23.
A huge highlight in this game was Nets center Allen with an impressive block of a LeBron James dunk attempt. The play, in addition to looking great, is also a rare in general: ESPN Stat Info tweeted that it's only the 9th time that a LeBron James dunk attempt has been blocked in the NBA.
The Nets have now beaten the Raptors (in overtime), the Knicks, Sixers, Wizards, Hawks and the Lakers. Their next game is tonight in Chicago against the Bulls, followed by a return to home Friday to host the Pacers.
The Lakers now dust themselves off, put away their winter coats for a few days and head home to Los Angeles to host the Pelicans on Friday.
Here's the New York Post, on Russell: "The young guard had a team-high 22 points and a career-high-tying 13 assists, but insisted it wasn’t a grudge match. “No. Honestly the crowd was electric. You could feel it. The Lakers were in town, so we wanted to give them a run,” said Russell, who hit the decisive 3 with 22.4 seconds left after the Nets had seen a 14-point edge cut to three. “It’s a great feeling,” Russell added. “Personally, I’ve never been in that position at this level, winning six in a row. Definitely not satisfied. We want to give ourselves a chance to keep it going.”
And the Los Angeles Daily News: "The gesture was momentary but hauntingly familiar. As he bounced toward the Brooklyn Nets bench after hitting what would be the game-winning 3-point shot with 22 seconds left, D’Angelo Russell pointed to his right forearm. Ice in his veins. The fourth-year guard gave the Lakers a good, hard look at what they gave away two summers ago when they dealt the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NBA draft to Brooklyn, making space for Lonzo Ball to become the franchise’s next big-name point guard prospect. Ball had one of his best scoring games of the season, but he wasn’t the one knocking down the dagger as Russell’s last points of a 22-point effort helped deliver a 115-110 Nets victory over the Lakers (18-13). Russell also matched his career high with 13 assists."
MORE NETS NOTES
This is the longest Nets winning streak since the 2014-15 season.
The win also snapped an 8-game Nets losing streak against Western conference teams.
POSTGAME QUOTES
Jarrett Allen on blocking LeBron's dunk attempt: "He came down the lane and it was just going up to contest the shot. It's LeBron, so I had to go up with some extra emphasis, and then I ended up getting it."
Lakers head coach Luke Walton: "It's a frustrating way to end a road trip. Especially on the road, you have to go out and take games, and we didn't do that tonight. We've got to make shots when we're open. We've got to make free throws. Defensively we've got to do a better job. Brooklyn's a good team, but we can't just let players blow by us. I think Jared Dudley had 10 points in the fourth quarter. Three of them were blow-by layups. All respect to Dudley - he's been a good NBA player for years - he shouldn't be blowing by anyone at this stage of his career. Things that we need to keep getting better at, we will. Time to let it hurt, get back home, get back to work and get better."
Walton on former Laker D-Russ: "He hurt us. He's a talented player, and we know that."
QUICK NOTE FROM INSIDE HOOPS
Next game we probably resume our usual game notes format. But mixing it up has been fun. We'll keep you on your toes.