
*Click images for boxscores
Nets Win A Tough First Game
The game started off with Nenad Krstic winning the ball from Shaq and Jason Kidd confusing the defense by setting up Richard Jefferson for the nice dunk.
The rest of the quarter was fairly even, until Antoine Walker injured his arm but Miami kept going and went on a hot run, but the Nets were right there to respond cutting down the Heat's lead by 3 at the quarter.
20-17 score after the first. We were informed that Walker's injury wasn't serious and he would be back for the second.
When the second started, Miami wasn't about to give up their lead and extended it even further and at one point they were leading by 10, costly turnovers were to blame for this.
The Nets bounced back but it wasn't enough to stop the Miami rampage and they went into the half with a 6 point lead, 41-35.
The Net's had to have a good team talk during the half to come back from this one.
Players of the Half
The third looked like the Nets were going to get back in this one by forcing the Heat into turnovers thanks to Jason Kidd's fast hands, but when Kidd went up for a layup he was hit hard in the air by Shaquille O'Neal and had to be replaced.
The fans heads fell down, but they soon were back right up when the Nets came back within 1 point.
As the end of the quarter reached the Heat were infront by 4 points, but thanks to VC with a spectacular dunk with just 1 second left, the Heat didn't look so confident with the score 57-55.
Kidd's injury wasn't serious and he was cleared to play.
The Nets were very confident going into the fourth, unlike the Miami Heat, and for the first time in the match they were infront by 2 because of Richard Jefferson who stole the ball from Jason Williams and set up Vaughn for the 2 points.
Shaquille O'Neal was kept fairly quiet by Krstic, and the Nets just kept on building on their lead. Unlike the first half it was the Heat who looked like amateurs. Although Jason Kidd was cleared to play, he did not return to the game because the Coach decided not to risk him.
New Jersey came out winners with a low scoring victory, 79-72.
Player of the Game
Photo's
Richard Jefferson flying high
Krstic with the power dunk
VC doing what he does best
Jefferson with another huge dunk
Collins with a nice layup
Wade fails with the block attempt against Krstic
Vince Carter over Haslem
Vince Carter over Haslem again
Vince Carter over Haslem and again!