Call them the Killer B’s.
With the score tied at 60 with 2:35 left to play in the third quarter, Andray Blatche and MarShon Brooks sparked the Nets off the bench and helped the team pull away from the pesky Suns for good in what turned into a 99-79 rout.
The duo combined to outscore Phoenix 16-13 in the third quarter and scored the Nets’ final 14 points in the period. For the game, the Nets’ bench outscored Phoenix’s subs, 45-28.
“The bench was fantastic,” Nets coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “[Blatche] and MarShon played extremely well, especially in the second half. We were searching for a while for who to go to. It turned out to be [Blatche] for a while. MarShon, particularly in the second half, gave a great effort defensively.”
Blatche kicked off the flurry of buckets with a 17-foot jumper, converted a three-point play and scored on a layup before handing the reins to Brooks, who sank a 3-pointer sandwiched between four free throws to give the Nets a 74-66 lead entering the fourth. It was the fifth straight game in which Blatche has scored in double figures off the bench.
“[Blatche] has been doing that all season, we expect that from him,” Brooks said. “He’s a real good player, especially on his [isolations].”
For Brooks, whose 17 points were a season high, it was the second straight game in which he scored in double figures at the Barclays Center. Entering last night’s game, the second-year guard was averaging just six points per game at the Nets’ new home.
“I was ready to play,” Brooks said. “It felt good.”
Both players have had to adjust to coming off the bench for the Nets. Brooks, who started 46 games as a rookie last season, has seen his minutes cut with the arrival of Joe Johnson. Blatche started 76 of 90 games over the past two seasons with the Wizards before joining the Nets.
“It’s a little different now, [Blatche] coming off the bench,” Reggie Evans said. “Blatche is doing a good job of being professional, being ready. For MarShon, if he keeps doing what he’s doing, things will turn out good for him.”
The Nets needed every point and minute Blatche and Brooks could spare because Kris Humphries (ankle) and Mirza Teletovic (illness) were out. They also lost starting small forward Gerald Wallace after just 5:51 of play when he was fouled hard and left the game with bruised ribs.
“Injuries happen, and other guys have to step up,” Johnson said. “MarShon stepped up tonight in Gerald’s absence, and that’s what we’re going to need until we’re able to get him back.”
Carlesimo said, “We’re banged up and we found a way to win. That’s very encouraging.”