By: Tennie Sumague, Eagle News Service US, New York Bureau
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – The two worst teams in the Eastern Conference, Philadelphia and Brooklyn went head to head last Tuesday night where the short handed Sixers came from behind to beat the Nets 106-101 at the Barclays Center. The Sixers ended the fourth quarter on a 10-5 run and sealed the victory. Dario Saric led the team with 23 points and Robert Covington added 21 points and 13 rebounds including the go ahead basket with 1:26 left in the game.
“Finally, we win. We deserve this. We deserved this win. We fought from the beginning. In one part, I was pushing the team. In one part, it was Robert (Covington). In one part, it was T.J. (McConnell). We saw a couple of good moves from Nik Staukas. When we play like that, it’s hard for the other team to guard us,” Saric said after the game; the team’s third straight win again their Atlantic division rival.
Brook Lopez led Brooklyn with 26 points on 10-15 shooting. Jeremy Lin and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson both scored 11 points for the last place Nets, who hold the worst record in the league with 16 wins.
“I thought we got some good looks and they made some tough shots and grabbed a big offensive rebound there at the end, but I think the story of the game was give them great credit – to come in here a little shorthanded, and they fought. I thought they played really well. It felt like they were the more physical team, the more energetic team and just really deserved to win. There’s just no way around it,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said regarding the last few possessions of the game.
Both teams will face off again one last time this season next Tuesday in Philadelphia.