On the Hardwood
After getting a couple of big wins in Brooklyn over the Cavs and the Pacers last week, the Brooklyn Nets have fallen back into the doldrums.
On Monday night in Miami, the Nets fell to the Heat 110-99, with future hall of famer Dwayne Wade leading the way with 30 points. Then, on Tuesday, the Nets were pounded by the Magic in Orlando, 139-105, in what was one of the worst losses on the season for this team. Defensively, the Nets showed nothing at all and were embarrassed by a mediocre Orlando team.
The rest of the week will not be easy, as the Nets visit Cleveland on Thursday and then they round out the week with games against the Knicks at MSG and then the Pelicans on Sunday at Barclays Center. The Nets should not feel that much pessimism though, since they actually beat the Cavs here in Brooklyn last week and they also beat the Knickerbockers earlier in the season.
At 21-53, the end of the season simply cannot get here soon enough. Fans are anticipating what the changes will be that Sean Marks will make as he moves ahead with this franchise. Sure, they need some major upgrades with the roster, but they also need a head coach. Right now, all we can do is wait and see what will happen once the season is completed.
On the Ice
Four days after heading down to Raleigh and beating the Hurricanes in overtime, the New York Islanders did the exact same thing in Brooklyn. Needing an extra frame to get it done, the Isles did just that, winning 2-1 and earning some much needed points in a packed Eastern Conference playoff race.
Anders Lee was the first hero of the night, scoring midway through the third period at 12:08. This sent the game into OT and then it went into a shoutout where the Isles were able to finish off a Canes team that is trying to make their own playoff push.
After Kyle Okposo scored on the first attempt in the shootout, the Isles were stopped after every following attempt. Fortunately for Brooklyn, this was all that the Isles needed since the Hurricanes did not score once, helping the Isles earn the huge victory. Now, the Isles have 91 points on the season and they hold onto the sixth seed in the east.
Ultimately, the player of the game for last night was Thomas Greiss. Aside from a Derek Ryan goal in the second period, Greiss was sensational, racking up 26 saves and providing some much needed stability for an Isles team that, despite having hit a recent slump, is not exactly ready to push the panic button.
On deck for the Isles is a very winnable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, right here in Kings County at Barclays Center. The Isles follow her up with a possible playoff preview this weekend against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are also right in the middle of the race. This week is crucial for this Islander team since there are only six games remaining on this season.
The key for the Isles is to break out of this recent slump and with their clutch win last night, it looks like they might have done just that. Only time will tell, but there is no doubt that this team should find a way to make the playoffs. An epic collapse would send them packing and this team has shown that they want to keep this season alive and make a push for the cup.
