RSS
Home
Nets' effort not in question after loss [Audio included]
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Rafer Alston scored 20 points in the 86-76 loss to Boston.
Although there are no moral victories for the New Jersey Nets, the eight-man team pushed the Boston Celtics to the brink tonight.
The Nets led after the second and third quarters but could not hold off the Celtics in the final quarter. Boston outscored New Jersey, 27-15, in the final frame en route to an 86-76 win at The Izod Center.
The Nets defense stifled Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen for much of the game, but the pair hit three crucial shots down the stretch that put the game out of reach. Garnett and Allen shot a combined 8-of-26 from the field, good for 21 points.
The Nets remain the only team in the NBA without a win, and although Lawrence Frank takes no moral victories from the loss, the team's defensive effort was not in question.
"Are guys are battling their tails off. We're not discouraged," Frank said. "Our guys have got a great deal of pride and they're trying to win.
"We are working to get better and I like the approach that our guys have," Frank said.
Without top scorers Devin Harris and Chris Douglas-Roberts, Rafer Alston and Brook Lopez picked up the slack. Alston was an offensive catalyst for the Nets, scoring 20 points and dishing out seven assists. Lopez added another strong performance, notching a game-high 23 points.
Despite the offensive performances, the Celtics forced the Nets into 23 turnovers, while only committing 12.
"Tonight, [there were] too many turnovers from me," said Alston, who committed seven turnovers. "[It's] just making a bad read. I should make the safe pass...cross court passes in this game are dangerous."
The Nets entered the fourth quarter with a 61-59 lead, but the Celtics embarked on an early 11-4 run. New Jersey played on back-to-back nights, but
"Guys can be fatigued, but we didn't show it," Alston said. "We fought tooth and nail against one of the best teams in the league, and we were right there until the finish."
Bobby Simmons started and scored 10 points, while rookie Terrence Williams scored eight points and grabbed nine rebounds. Williams tallied nine assists in last night's loss to Philadelphia.
Williams has seen substantial minutes at four different positions early on this season. With Harris and Keyon Dooling injured, Williams has slid into the backup point guard role. His versatility has become a tremendous asset to the Nets with all their injuries.
"I was told when I worked out for them that if I played here I would play one, two, or three," Williams said. "I didn't know I'd play one, two, three, and four, and one so heavy...but I think I'm a basketball player and I can just adapt."
The Nets return to action Wednesday against Philadelphia. After a 97-94 loss in Philadelphia, Williams is looking to return the favor at The Izod Center.
"The way we lost to Philly is going to put a lot of fire in us," Williams said. "Just that taste in our mouth for how we lost to them is going to have us fired up to play."
Nets vs. Celtics Press Conference
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
