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Nets Beat the Heat; Marcus Stars By Matt McQueeny, NJNets.com
Orlando, Fl. – The Nets won today, in their second game of the 2007 Pepsi Pro Summer League, over the Miami Heat, 73-65. Marcus Williams was the standout player of the game, seemingly scoring at will, with 28 points on 10-of-17 from the field, six rebounds, and five assists. He also knocked down 3-of-4 from three-point land. On almost every run where the Nets were able to separate themselves, Marcus was the catalyst. “Marcus was real effective off the dribble and off pick-and-roll situations,” said Head Coach Lawrence Frank “His ability to get into the paint and create for himself and for his teammates was obviously the difference for us on the offensive end.” Said the point guard, “I just tried to attack today early, try to get to the rim, and try to establish myself.” Williams said the Heat was not collapsing on his pick-and-rolls, creating cracks and openings in the defense. It was simple basketball, really. “If I see a crack in the defense, I’m going to take it,” said Marcus. “If they come in, I’m going to kick it out and if they stay with their man I’m going to try to finish.” While Marcus Williams was the scoring machine, subtly, Sean Williams had a solid game. He seemed to adapt to the NBA game a little better today. Whereas yesterday he was whistled for eight fouls, limiting him to just 22 and a half minutes, today he was able to keep himself in the game without foul trouble. He played 30:18 today and scored six points and grabbed six rebounds. He had one block, but it is obvious just watching how his length can affect shots. Also, in crunch time – with just two and a half minutes to go – Sean hit a turnaround jumper in the lane just as the Heat had cut the lead to four and then grabbed a big rebound in a crowd when Daequan Cook missed a three-pointer on the next Heat possession. Said Marcus Williams, “I think he figured it out today a little better than he did yesterday. He played great defense for us, he didn’t get as many fouls. He made a big bucket for us at the end of the fourth quarter.” “You’re just looking for every game to make strides and that’s what it’s going to be,” said Coach Frank. “I think Sean has a huge upside but there’s a lot of work to be done.” Also of note, Robert Hite, the 6’2” jump-out-of-the-gym guard out of Miami had a second solid game, netting 13 points and grabbing eight – yes, eight - rebounds. He was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Yesterday the left-hander had 16 points, including four three-pointers. But eight rebounds for a 6’2” guard? “He can really jump,” said Frank. “He’s very, very athletic. He’s got great ups. He gets up quickly. And even though he’s 6’2”, he did a good job presenting himself on the boards.” The Heat jumped out 11-8 after first-round pick Daequan Cook knocked down a three-pointer. The Nets responded with an 8-1 run, with six of the points being scored by Marcus Williams. Two three-pointers by the Heat sandwiched around Robert Hite’s second three-pointer of the quarter closed out scoring in the first. The score was 21-18. The Heat took the largest lead of the second quarter for either team, at 34-28, following two free-throws from Cartier Martin. The Nets closed the quarter on a 5-0 run, capped by another Robert Hite three-pointer. The score was 34-33 at the half. The Nets came out of the half on a 16-6 run. Marcus Williams again was the offensive stalwart, scoring 11 points during the run. The Heat, however, battled back to the tune of a 7-0 run. Curtis Stinson finished scoring in the quarter with two free-throws to give the Nets a 51-47 lead going into the fourth. The Nets extended their lead to 61-48 after Marcus Williams hit a tear drop and got fouled. He did not convert the free-throw. He did the same thing with 4:40 to go, hitting a hanging lay up – again not converting the free-throw – but pushed the Net lead back to 10 (63-53). Chris Quinn of Miami hit a lay up, was fouled, and converted on the free-throw and then hit two free-throws in response to a Brandon Hunter hook shot. Orien Greene then nailed a three, cutting the Net lead down to 65-61. Sean Williams responded with a turnaround jump shot in the lane – capitalizing on the separation he can create with his long arms – and pulled down a big rebound on the ensuing Heat possession. Miami did not get within five points the rest of the way. Through two games, Marcus Williams is averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and four assists. Hassan Adams is leading the team in rebounding, averaging nine over the two games after grabbing eight today. The Nets will play in the second game tomorrow against the Indiana Pacers. |
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