Nets topple undermanned Bucks as an impressive offense emerges in the final period

Nets topple undermanned Bucks as an impressive offense emerges in the final period

MILWAUKEE — The Nets may have gotten a new offense for the holidays.

Brooklyn appeared to be in for another offensive defeat.

Until they turned their fortunes around Thursday night at Fiserv Forum with a 111-105 come-from-behind victory over an undermanned Milwaukee team without stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

Cam Johnson scored 29 points, including a game-winning 3-pointer in a late 17-5 run that turned a five-point deficit into a shocking win.

The Nets respond in their win against the Bucks on December 26th. NBAE via Getty Images

Sophomore big man Noah Clowney continued his breakthrough, posting 20 points, four rebounds and a career-best 6-for-8 from 3-point range.

Brooklyn trailed 97-92 after a free throw from Khris Middleton before winning the game.

It was 99-99 before Clowney hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 2:33 left.

Nic Claxton drove the baseline and was fouled, hitting 1 of 2 from the line to make it 103-99.

Then Johnson took a pass from Ben Simmons and hit a long three-pointer, was fouled and lay sprawled on the court, drawing the anger of the crowd.

He also sank the free throw to give Brooklyn a 109-102 lead with 48.6 games remaining.

The Nets made sure there was no extension.

“Yeah, just keep improving,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said previously. “I think our ball movement was good. Try to have more options when running. We just have to take advantage of certain opportunities when running. I think these are things we can monitor and improve. And then defensively, just stay consistent. I think if we do what we’re supposed to, we’re good.

Cam Johnson attempts a shot during the Nets’ win against the
Bucks on December 26th. NBAE via Getty Images

“I was happy with the way we competed the whole time (in Miami). Of course you want to win, but we can continue to build with where we are now. And it’s exciting because you see things evolving in different ways in terms of play style. Of course we still want to get the right shots every time, but that has to be done in different ways for obvious reasons. So overall satisfied. Boys were locked in, they challenged themselves and made it their own. So that’s a good thing. This is a good sign for development.”

They showed this development on Thursday.

In their comebacks earlier in the season they had managed to capitalize on the strength of their attack, but with that seemingly no longer an option, they had to find a way to fight back on defense.

Ben Simmons drives with the ball during the Nets win against
the Bucks on December 26th. NBAE via Getty Images


It’s hard to say what hurt them more – trading pick-and-roll point guard Dennis Schröder or losing leading scorer Cam Thomas to a hamstring injury.

Whatever the case, missing both of them and starting striker Dorian Finney-Smith, they struggled to score.

But Johnson and Clowney changed that.

Keon Johnson rises to dunk the ball during the Nets’ win over the Bucks on Dec. 26. NBAE via Getty Images

The latter scored 6 of 9 on Thursday, with only three players age 20 or younger having more 3-pointers this season: Victor Wembanyama, Jared McCain and Carlton Carrington.

Brooklyn trailed 88-79 after AJ Green’s 3-pointer with 10:22 left.

Then the Nets went on a 13-5 run in the next three minutes to pull within one point.

Shake Milton scored 11 points in the blitz.

His three-pointer off a Simmons feed cut the deficit to just one at 93-92 with 7:07 to play.

Middleton’s mid-range jumper broke Brooklyn’s momentum.

But his blatant foul sent Johnson to charity moments later, where he converted.

Wilson’s putback on a miss by Keon Johnson put the Nets up 97-96, and moments later Wilson Johnson scored on a 3-pointer for a 99-97 lead with 3:40 to play.

After Johnson passed the ball to Brook Lopez, Middleton’s bench shot made it 99-9.

From there, Clowney broke the tie and the Bucks.

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