Nets blazing trail toward playoffs after win over Portland
Win Fifth Straight at Home to Shave Magic Number to Four
Brook Lopez resumed the best stretch of his NBA career, Deron Williams continued to perform like a true franchise point guard and the Brooklyn Nets, once left for dead in the Eastern Conference playoff race, are beginning to “close the door” on the competition in their ongoing postseason quest.
Lopez, fresh off his second straight Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, poured in 32 points and ripped down nine rebounds Monday night against his twin brother, Robin, as the Nets beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 106-96, in front of 17,416 Brooklyn basketball enthusiasts at Downtown’s Barclays Center.
Williams, a dormant and somewhat forgotten figure for long stretches this season, added 24 points and handed out 10 assists without committing a single turnover as Brooklyn improved to 11-3 in its last 14 games.