Today in Nets history: Trio powers past Dwyane Wade’s Heat in Game 1

The New Jersey Nets met up with the Miami Heat on their way to the 2006 NBA Finals. In their matchup, the Nets took control first.

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:

After winning a tough first-round series against the Pacers, the No. 3 ranked New Jersey Nets had to take on the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference in 2006, the Miami Heat.

After gaining a 17-point advantage in the first quarter of Game 1 on May 8, the Nets never looked back, taking the series lead following the 100-88 finish (full box score).

“We were just focused from the beginning,” Carter said after the 2006 win. “We wanted to come out and be aggressive and let everybody know that we can compete — and that we’re a pretty good team ourselves.”

Carter (27 points), Jason Kidd (22) and Richard Jefferson (20) accounted for most of the Nets’ scoring. Nenad Krstic also chipped in 11 points.

Kidd also had nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Carter was right behind the Nets point guard in each category, logging eight boards, six assists and three steals.