T-Will Tries to Spark Comeback Twice
March 3, 2010
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Wednesday at the IZOD Center, the Nets lost to the Cavaliers, 111-92, after trailing wire-to-wire. Rookie swingman Terrence Williams twice sparked runs that nearly brought the Nets within striking distance, finishing with a career-high 21 points, tying Brook Lopez for the team lead. LeBron James racked up game-high totals of 26 points and 14 assists to lead the Cavaliers.
For the full recap, read Bob Considine's story on NBA.com: Click Here
T-Will Tries to Spark Comeback Twice
The game seemed out of hand. Twice. First when the Nets trailed the Cavaliers by 20 points after one quarter, and again when they opened the fourth down 18. Each time Nets rookie Terrence Williams sparked enough of a run to keep Wednesday’s contest interesting for the fans at the IZOD Center. He finished with a career-high 21 points (8-16 FGs), along with five rebounds and seven assists in 32 minutes.
“Terrence has been playing very good defense,” said Nets coach and GM Kiki Vandeweghe. “He’s been playing with focus and energy. He scored points tonight, which is great. But he also had five rebounds and seven assists. He played hard. He’s hopefully what we’ve come to expect: somebody who can come off the bench, who can come in and spark us and change the energy.”
In the second quarter, Williams scored four points and handed out three assists during the first 5 ½ minutes, helping the Nets to chop the Cavalier lead by seven. He scored the final two baskets of a 15-8 run, both in transition: the first after jumping a passing lane and tapping a ball to Keyon Dooling, who returned it for a driving finger roll; the second after taking an outlet pass from Kris Humphries and rocketing upcourt for a one-handed push.
But the lift proved temporary, as the Nets were unable to gain further ground, trading baskets until Cleveland tacked four points atop the 13-point lead before halftime. A quick nine-point burst to begin the third, capped by three aggressive buckets from Chris Douglas-Roberts, was wiped out during the rest of the quarter, setting up Williams’ final burst.
“He’s been carrying over what he’s been doing in practice into the games,” said Nets point guard Devin Harris. “You want him playing with that attack-type mentality, getting to the basket, making passing, make some jump shots. We want him to play that type basketball because he’s very good when he plays that way. Hopefully he’ll continue to do those type things.”
For the opening 5 ½ minutes of the fourth, Williams drove the Nets offense, looking every bit the point forward the team hopes he develops into. The 22-year-old swingman dished three assists, wetted two three-pointers and sank a pair of free throws he earned after making it upcourt in the five seconds following Brook Lopez’s rebound of a blocked shot.
His second three-pointer, assisted by Douglas-Roberts, again topped off a 15-8 run, this time trimming the lead to 11. But Williams turned the ball over on the Nets’ next possession, and the team didn’t make another field goal for three minutes, when Williams drove on Anderson Varejao and hung in the air long enough to sink a lefty layup. Cavaliers guard Mo Williams immediately answered with a three, stretching the lead to 17 – far too large to overcome in three minutes.
Terrence Williams acknowledges that defensive effort and success allows him to develop a flow that benefits his offensive game, feels that a focus on bringing energy has most impacted his recent success. And though the 2-for-3 three-point shooting on Wednesday marked his second multi-three performance in six matchups (after only three in the previous 51), Williams disavowed any notion that he’s feeling trigger-happy.
“It’s extra work with (assistant coach Doug Overton) and CD-R, shooting and making games out of shooting contests and really concentrating on shooting and honing your follow-through,” Williams said. “It helps (and) it’s showing. But at this stage in my career, I’m not trying to really fall in love with that: if it’s there, I’m going to take it, but eight times out of 10, I’m trying to go to the hole.”
Defending the MVP
Williams was one of many Nets to attempt guarding league MVP LeBron James, who totaled 26 points, seven rebounds, 14 assists and three steals. Williams patterned his college game on LeBron’s all-around abilities, and admitted he was geared up for this game. After the final buzzer, Williams said he did learn a few things.
“(Like) to do more pushups – he’s huge!” Williams said, joking. “Nah. Even though he has fun, how serious he is about the game, how much he’s about getting his other teammates involved and winning. It’s a winning attitude. Despite anything somebody might say about winning, and I take from that, no matter what put the weight on your shoulders. If your team is losing, and if it wasn’t your fault, still take the credit for it.”
Harris Lays Out
With the Nets down 13 late in the fourth, Devin Harris chased his own missed three toward the left sideline, laying out full extension in a futile attempt to save the loose ball. His momentum drove him hard toward the scattering feet of the Cavaliers’ bench, with his back and shoulder slamming into the legs of various courtside furniture.
“Shoot, we needed that rebound,” Harris said. “I’ll play hard no matter what the score is.”
He added that he’ll be fine, and after flying into the stands several times this season, knows he can expect the fans to cushion his fall.
