The Brooklyn Nets pulled off one of their most exciting wins of the season with a 99-97 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Barclays Center. Just when the game seemed to be tilting in Houston's favor, two three-pointers in the final 10 seconds turned the tide and gave Brooklyn a much-needed win.
Keon Johnson and D'Angelo Russell were the heroes of the night, sealing the result with two accurate shots from long distance. With the win, the Nets snapped an 11-game losing streak at home, while the Rockets suffered their fourth straight loss.
A Heart-Stopping Finale
The game was evenly matched from the start, with both teams alternating leads on the scoreboard. The Rockets were up by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Brooklyn responded with a 14-0 run that put them back in the contest. In the final minutes, Houston appeared headed for victory with a 97-93 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining.
However, the story changed when Tosan Evbuomwan found Keon Johnson on the wing and he converted a three-pointer that brought the Nets within one point with 8.1 seconds remaining. The pressure shifted to the Rockets, who tried to secure possession, but Amen Thompson made a mistake by sending an inaccurate pass to Dillon Brooks, allowing Brooklyn to get the ball back.
With the opportunity to turn the score around, Evbuomwan again played a key role in assisting D'Angelo Russell. Despite having a difficult shooting night from the field, the veteran point guard did not hesitate to shoot from the three-point line, hitting the three-pointer that gave the Nets the lead with just 3.4 seconds to play. Houston still had one last chance, but Jalen Green missed his three-point attempt at the buzzer, sealing the win for Brooklyn.
Outstanding Performances on the Stave
The hero of the game was Keon Johnson, who led the Nets with 22 points, including the key three-pointer that started the comeback. Tosan Evbuomwan and Nic Claxton also contributed 14 points apiece, while D'Angelo Russell, despite making only 3 of his 15 shot attempts, had the cool head to score the most important shot of the game.
On the Rockets' side, Alperen Sengun was the best player with 24 points and 20 rebounds, dominating the paint throughout the game. Reed Sheppard and Dillon Brooks added 16 points each, but were unable to contain Brooklyn in the final moments. Despite their efforts, Houston let a seemingly assured victory slip away.
Brooklyn Breaks Bad Streak at Home
For the Nets, this win is a respite after a long drought at home. Their last win at the Barclays Center had been on December 4 against Indiana, so this victory represents a positive step in the midst of a difficult season. Throughout the game, Brooklyn showed greater defensive intensity and took advantage of Houston's mistakes in the decisive moments.
On the other hand, the Rockets continue to have trouble closing out games. During their streak of four consecutive losses, they have allowed their opponents to score too easily in the final minutes, losing leads that seemed comfortable.
The lack of execution at key moments is a worrying issue for Ime Udoka's team, which will have to find answers quickly to prevent this poor run from extending.
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What's Next for Both Teams
With the win, Brooklyn will look to keep the momentum going when they host the Washington Wizards in their next game. Meanwhile, the Rockets will have a tough test when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that has been one of the most solid of the season.
The outcome of this game made it clear that in the NBA nothing is decided until the last second. Brooklyn took advantage of its opportunity and executed perfectly when it mattered most, while Houston will have to learn from its mistakes if it wants to get back to winning ways.
