Nets COOK Sixers in highly anticipated game
The Brooklyn Nets certainly had the last laugh.
In what was arguably one of the most long-awaited games of the NBA’s regular season, the Nets absolutely DESTROYED the Philadelphia 76ers, 129-100 on Thursday.
Leading up to the game, there was already some hostility toward the Nets, mainly Ben Simmons.
The former Sixer was already facing hate from fans and it heightened as he entered the Wells Fargo Arena. He was welcomed with boos and “F-Ben Simmons” chants but that only provided fuel for his Nets teammates.
Once the ball was tipped, the Nets were able to hold a significant lead over the Sixers all game long. In the first quarter, Brooklyn dropped 40 and it ended with a Kyrie Irving 3-pointer.
“If you come at Ben, you come at us,” he said about the animosity toward Simmons.
Fresh off of a 50 point game against the Charlotte Hornets, Irving had the task of guarding former teammate James Harden.
While Harden was able to surpass Reggie Miller’s All-time 3 point record, Irving held him to only 11 points and was scoreless in the second half. Thursday night’s game effectively shut down the narrative that Kyrie can’t play defense and his offense of course is still elite, as he put up 22 points.
"It was very quiet towards the end. We ain't hear no more Ben Simmons chants from the Sixers fans," Kevin Durant said.
Durant finished with a double-double, scoring a team-high 25 points, and 14 rebounds.
It was apparent that Brooklyn was out for blood and took the game very personally. They also seemed to have a great time too. Well, who wouldn’t?
All smiles from the Nets (Getty Images)
Seth Curry also scored 24 points against his former team, with four 3-pointers and five steals.
While KD, Curry and Irving led the team in scoring, this win was also a collective effort, with three other Nets finishing in double figures. James Johnson with 16, Bruce Brown with 11 and Patty Mills with 10. The Nets also had the game-high 29 assists.
While the Nets offense was cooking, their defense was also something to look at, as they set a season-high of 15 blocks and tied their season-high of 13 steals.
Brooklyn also shut down Joel Emiid, who despite scoring 27 points, went 5-of-17 from the field. 15 of those points were from free throws.
The hottest ticket in town
This matchup was a MUST watch. Some famous faces like Sixers royalty, Allen Iverson, Julius Erving (who’s also Nets royalty), and rappers Meek Mill, Travis Scott and Lil Baby were in attendance.
Nose bleed seats were around $200 and seats closer to the bench went for $4,000. There was also an increase in security.
Despite the heavy price tag, fans ended up leaving early because no one wants to see their favorite team get absolutely DOMINATED by the team that you traded away some of your best players to. Sixers fans who did stay started booing their own team.
This game was absolutely amazing and certainly did not disappoint. It honestly felt like a playoff game and right now, a Nets-Sixers series sounds pretty good.
Currently seeded 8th in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn’s last two wins prove they’re playing with a sense of urgency that they need to have moving forward.
Nets World…get ready because it’s starting to look like scary hours.
Coming Up
Brooklyn will play the New York Knicks on Sunday.
Since New York City lifted its mandate, Irving will most likely be watching from the bench but will not be eligible to play.
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