Third-quarter explosion propels Nets past Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Fri 8th December, 22:12 2023

Dec 8, 2023; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mikal Bridges scored 21 points for the Brooklyn Nets, who surged ahead in the third quarter and pulled away for a 124-97 rout of the Washington Wizards on Friday in New York.

The Nets won for the sixth time in seven games and moved a season-high three games over .500 before starting a five-game West Coast trip Monday night in Sacramento.

After withstanding 43 lead changes and 11 ties in one-point win at Atlanta on Wednesday, the Nets trailed briefly in the second quarter against Washington and dominated the third following a sluggish opening half.

After hitting the game-winner on Wednesday, Bridges shot 9-for-15 overall on Friday. He scored nine points in the third a the Nets outscored the Wizards 40-24. Brooklyn made 11 consecutive shots and hit 61.5 percent to turn a three-point halftime lead into a 90-71 advantage.

Cam Thomas logged 10 of his 17 points in the decisive third for the Nets, who beat the Wizards for the sixth straight time and the ninth time in the past 11 meetings. Day'Ron Sharpe contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds off the Brooklyn bench, while Spencer Dinwiddie added 14 points and nine assists.

Nic Claxton produced 13 points and 15 boards for the Nets, who racked up 76 points in the paint and 22 fastbreak points while outrebounding Washington 55-41.

Kyle Kuzma scored 17 points for the Wizards, who shot 41.8 percent, missed 27 of 33 3-point tries and lost their fourth straight. Deni Avdija added 15 and Tyus Jones contributed 14 for Washington, which allowed 20 points off 15 turnovers.

Washington had posted 120-plus points in each of the previous three games.

The Nets held the Wizards to 36.4 percent shooting and forced five turnovers for a 26-18 lead after the opening quarter. Brooklyn took three nine-point leads late in the second and settled for a 50-47 lead by halftime.

A 3-pointer and a layup by Thomas on consecutive possessions pushed Brooklyn's lead to 69-57 with 6:24 left in the third, and the Nets opened a 83-68 bulge on a hoop by Claxton with 3:19 left before taking a 19-point edge into the fourth.

Bridges sat out the fourth quarter.

—Field Level Media

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