Brooklyn Nets Lose an Overtime Thriller Against the Knicks, 97-95

Added by Deshawn Jelani on October 25, 2012.

Jason Kidd, left, defends Joe Johnson during last night's preseason finale. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

The Brooklyn Nets lost a 97-95 overtime thriller against rival New York Knicks Wednesday night at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY.  The Nets played their final preseason game as the home team, as they played in the arena they once called home when they were member of the ABA.

The Nets were off to a 23-16 lead in the first quarter, but the Knicks shot 64% from the field in the second quarter, outscoring Brooklyn 30-20 to take a 46-43 advantage into the half.

The Nets were trailing by six after the third quarter, and the Knicks pushed the lead into double digits early in the fourth as both teams went mostly with bench players in the final period.  The Nets came from behind to grab an 86-84 lead on a MarShon Brooks and-1 play, which occurred with 1:01 left.  Knicks rookie Chris Copeland’s free throws tied the game with 47 seconds to go and neither team scored again in regulation.

Knicks Steve Novak made a go-ahead 3-point shot with 1:26 left in overtime which eventually set the team up for victory.  Brooklyn had the opportunity to force a second overtime, but Brooks missed a runner in the final seconds.

Nets all-star point guard Deron Williams scored 22 points during the contest.  The Nets lost their final three preseason games and finished with a 3-3 record.

“Our young guys that were in there at the end helped get the game into overtime, unfortunately we just didn’t have that last one go down for us to go into double-overtime,” said Nets coach Avery Johnson.

The game forms as a formidable prelude to the season opener between the two teams on Nov. 1 at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn next week.  Brooklyn effectively used this preseason to tune up their newly revamped roster and develop chemistry between players.  Lets hope that this translates well into the regular season next week.