With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.
For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.
Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:
The Indiana Pacers were coming off a sizeable Game 4 win heading into their first-round series finale with the New Jersey Nets on May 2, 2002.
After the Nets took a slight advantage in the opening quarter, the Pacers tied things at the half. The game remained knotted up by the end of regulation, and again after the first overtime period.
Then the Nets shifted into high gear and never looked back.
Kerry Kittles started the second overtime off with a big and-one. Jason Kidd then scored two baskets, as did Kenyon Martin. Lucious Harris and Anthony Johnson each nailed a pair of free throws, as well. Meanwhile, Indiana’s only response was a single Ron Mercer jumper — which came after Kidd’s first bucket — leading to New Jersey’s 120-109 win (full box score).
Kidd led the Nets with 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Martin also had eight rebounds, finishing with 29 points. Keith Van Horn was right behind his fellow forward with 27 points, scoring 15 of his points from beyond the arc (5-for-8 from deep).