The Sports Xchange
Dec 22, 2017
BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- The Brooklyn Nets came out strong, attacked the rim, dominated the glass and never trailed en route to a 119-84 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night at Barclays Center.
Forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and swingman Caris LeVert had 17 points and six rebounds as six Nets players scored in double figures.
Brooklyn snapped a four-game losing streak with its second home win over Washington in 10 days.
Forward Kelly Oubre had 13 points and guard John Wall added 10 points for the Wizards (17-15), who were held below 100 points for the fourth time in the last six games.
Spencer Dinwiddie had the hot hand out of the halftime break, scoring the Nets' first 11 points of the second half on the way to 15 in the third quarter. A trio of 3-pointers extended Brooklyn's lead to 64-47 with 9:22 left in the quarter and forced the Wizards to call a timeout.
The Nets went on a 19-5 run late in the third capped by a 12-foot jumper by center Jarrett Allen to take an 88-58 lead, their largest of the season. Their 27-point advantage after three quarters matched their largest through three quarters since moving to Barclays Center for the start of the 2012-13 season.
Before the game, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters he wanted to see his team get out to a quick start and attack the rim. The Nets (12-19) did both, racing out to a 19-9 lead on two Hollis-Jefferson free throws with 5:09 left in the first quarter.
The Nets shot 23.5 percent (4 of 17) from 3-point range in the first half but took a 53-43 lead into the locker room because of 22 points in the paint, going 9 of 10 from the foul line and outrebounding the Wizards 29-19.
That included a nasty putback slam by center Tyler Zeller, followed by a one-handed jam on a drive through the middle of the lane by swingman Joe Harris.
NOTES: Before distributed four assists, Wizards G John Wall handed out an early Christmas present to all his teammates -- a new Rolex watch. "He's a good leader and he just continues to give," Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. "Not only on the court with our guys for easy layups or easy jump shots, but he gave them a nice watch." ... F Otto Porter returned to the Wizards' lineup after missing the last two games with a right thigh bruise. ... The Nets embark on a five-game, year-ending road trip that begins against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Wizards return home to face Orlando on Saturday.