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The Brooklyn Nets fought their way to a dramatic 113-111 victory over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, thanks to Joe Johnson, who nailed a three-pointer - sending the game into overtime - before delivering the game-winning jumper at the buzzer. |
With the game squared at 111-111, and just 5.2 seconds remaining in the extra five-minute session, Johnson took the inbound pass and used a crossover dribble to create separation from Luc Richard Mbah a Moute before launching the difference-maker at the free throw line and giving the Nets their first win over the Bucks since March 30, 2009.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Johnson, who finished with 24 points as the Nets ended a 13-game slide against the Bucks.
“Regardless of the situation, whether it’s regular-season or playoffs, it’s always a great feeling.”
“Joe’s like, I hate to do the comparison to Michael Jordan, but he’s the guy,” teammate Gerald Wallace said of the six-time All-Star. “Just like in Chicago, everybody knew Michael was going to get the ball, everybody in the arena knew Joe was going getting the ball. “He just makes plays. It’s so hard to guard him.”
Deron Williams and Brook Lopez added 19 apiece for the Nets, who won their third in a row, as the second half of the season got underway following NBA All-Star weekend. Brandon Jennings poured in 34 points, Turkish-native Ersan Ilyasova contributed 21 for the Bucks, while Monta Ellis contributed 18 with eight rebounds and eight assists.
“Joe Johnson makes big shots,” Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. “It wasn’t a shock that Brooklyn went to him. We knew that’s where they’d be looking.”
Elsewhere: San Antonio Spurs 108, Sacramento Kings 102: Frenchman Tony Parker scored 30 points, handed out 11 assists, and hit the game-sealing layup with 20 seconds remaining, as the visiting Spurs beat the Kings for their 15th win in the last 16 games.
Danny Green scored 21 points while Tim Duncan pulled down 14 rebounds for the league-leading Spurs (43-12), who have won 10 straight trips to Sacramento.
Isaiah Thomas scored 22 points and Tyreke Evans added 20 for the Kings, who have dropped three in a row.
• Chicago Bulls 96, New Orleans Hornets 87: Luol Deng scored 20 points, including a game-sealing jumper with 45 seconds left, Joakim Noah had 15 with 17 rebounds and the visiting Bulls broke a two-game slide after trimming the Hornets.
Eric Gordon tossed in 20 points, while rookie Anthony Davis had 15 and with 10 rebounds as New Orleans had its two-game winning streak come to an end.
• Memphis Grizzlies 105, Detroit Pistons 91: Mike Conley scored 19 points, Zach Randolph had 15 with 10 rebounds, and the Grizzlies beat the Pistons for their fourth straight win. Brandon Knight and Swedish-native Jonas Jerebko topped Detroit with 13 points apiece.
•Toronto Raptors 96, Washington Wiz ards 88: Rudy Gay and DeMar DeRozan tallied 24 points apiece, and the visiting Raptors won their fifth in a row after edging the Wizards.