The Brooklyn Nets officially made the second round matchup against the Miami Heat a series. The team looked nothing short of a disaster in the first two games against the defending champs, but a return home to the Barclays center changed everything. Brooklyn routed the Heat for a 104-90 win and hope that momentum can carry help them even the series before heading back to South Beach.
The Nets looked like a much different team in Game 3. For the first time in the playoffs, the Heat trailed in the fourth quarter. They made 15 of 25 3-point shots. They outrebounded the Heat 43-27. The biggest thing Brooklyn did was limit LeBron James to just two baskets over the final three quarters. The star had 16 points in the first quarter, but could not muster much after that.
Much of James' lack of success could be attributed to Paul Pierce. The veteran requested that he be assigned to defending James after the team was routed in Game 1. Pierce and James have a long-standing rivalry between one another and a strong history in the postseason. The defensive switch could be just what the Nets need to even the series while at home.
Other big adjustments for the Nets came from both Kevin Garnett and Deron Williams. Garnett was held scoreless in the first game while Williams did the same in Game 2. Williams followed up his zero points performance with nine points and 11 assists. While it was not much, it certainly helped.
Last season, the Heat followed every loss with a victory. A loss in Game 4 for the Nets could spell trouble. Heading back to South Beach still in the hole might mean the team is done in the playoffs, something Pierce has no plans of letting happen.
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