NET NOTES
His offensive numbers are pretty much equal to the hat sizes of toddlers – 2.8 points. But the Nets’ Jason Collins can’t be judged by those numbers.
Judge him instead on his defense, his toughness, his screens, his willingness to take a charge. And yes, his willingness to accept that 2.8 scoring average in favor of a defensive presence.
“He’s a helluva defender.
Twin knows how to play,” Vince Carter said of Collins, who has a twin brother. “He knows how to play defense and he really takes the time to learn his opponent.” Collins came through again for the Nets in Indianapolis on Friday. Yes, Jermaine O’Neal scored 17 points in the second half, but when the Nets needed a stop, Collins shut down O’Neal in the post.
At the other end, the Nets scored to go up five, their largest lead to that point of the fourth quarter in their 100-91 victory.
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Nenad Krstic was expected to play last night, despite tweaking his back in the third quarter at Indy . . .
The Nets scored 100 points or more in five straight . . .
In the four games before last night, the Nets shot .433 (29-of-67) on 3-pointers. In the same span, they limited their opponents to .281 (27-of-96) on treys . . . Marcus Williams (14-of-14) and Bostjan Nachbar (7-of-7) were perfect at the free throw line entering last night.
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Cliff Robinson made 5-of-6 shots en route to a season-high 14 points. But coach Lawrence Frank raved how Robinson’s picks and positioning freed Jason Kidd.
“You can’t put enough weight on Jason [getting] in the paint at least three if not four consecutive times,” Frank said. “It was all because of Cliff changing his angle late.”