Johnson ignites in 4th qtr, Brooklyn beats Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ricky Rubio (center) drives between Brooklyn Nets’ Jevon Carter (left) and James Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Nov. 22, 2021 in Cleveland. AP PHOTO, TONY DEJAK
Cleveland Cavaliers’ Ricky Rubio (center) drives between Brooklyn Nets’ Jevon Carter (left) and James Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Nov. 22, 2021 in Cleveland. AP PHOTO, TONY DEJAK

OHIO – James Johnson made up for his miscues with clutch hits as Brooklyn Nets edged Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-112, in the 2021-2022 NBA Season on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

With the Nets on top 93-92 with seven minutes left, Johnson misfired his two free throws that led to the Cavaliers regaining the lead at 95-93 on a three-pointer from Lauri Markkanen.

Johnson, however, made this up with a three-pointer to give the Nets a 98-95 lead, and later a two-pointer that surged Brooklyn on top 102-98 with four minutes remaining.

Cleveland managed to take the lead for the last time at 105-102 before Brooklyn leaned on back-to-back inside hits by Kevin Durant and a triple by Patty Mills to take a 109-105 advantage.

The Cavaliers made its last push at 108-109 on a three-pointer by Ricky Rubio. The Nets, however, increased it back to 113-108 with under a minute left following an inside basket from Johnson.

Johnson finished the match with nine points, with seven in the fourth quarter, to go with five assists, four rebounds and two steals. The Nets tightened its hold on top spot of the East with 13-5 win-loss slate.

Durant led the Nets with 27 points, nine assists and six rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge had double-double 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Patty Mills contributed 17 points, including five triples.

As the Cavaliers dropped to 9-9, Darius Garland finished with 24 points and 11 assists, Markkanen added 22 markers, while Jarrett Allen had double-double 20 points and 15 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was slapped with one-game suspension, while Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart was tagged with a two-game ban for their fight during their Sunday night encounter.

James was punished for elbowing Stewart that led to a huge cut above the right eye of the latter. Stewart was suspended for repeatedly trying to chase James despite being pacified by his teammates.

BOX SCORE:

BROOKLYN 117 — Durant 27, Aldridge 21, Mills 17, Harden 14, Thomas 11, Johnson 9, Bembry 8, Carter 6, Griffin 2, Millsap 2.

CLEVELAND 112 — Garland 24, Markkanen 22, Allen 20, Rubio 16, Okoro 15, Love 8, Wade 7, Davis 0, Windler 0.

Quarterscores: 24-27, 54-63, 84-82, 117-112/PN

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here