NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson and the rest of the team knew what was ahead of them when the news came out that the Miami Heat were going to be without three of their best players. The Nets were going to face a severely short-handed Heat squad, but they still had to handle their business at home.
“I think an emphasis today was just to come out and make a statement from the beginning,” Johnson said after putting up 19 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in Saturday’s 112-97 over Miami. He had one of the best quarters that he’s had for the Nets as he put up 12 points, three rebounds, and one assist in the period. Johnson displayed what Brooklyn was trying to do in a game that they were expected to win fairly easily.
“Guys finding me in the right position, staying aggressive” Johnson said when asked what led to him having such a incredible performance in the first quarter. “Made them (the Heat) have to climb an uphill battle and so, that’s all that was,” Johnson continued.
Saturday’s win was more of a methodical victory as opposed to one of the blowout variety as Brooklyn did have as big of a lead as 21 points, but for most of the game, Miami was within 10-15 points for much of the contest. One or two plays go the way of the Heat and this could have turned into a different result. However, as Johnson said, the Nets wanted to make a statement and they did just that.
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