L.I. Nets fall to Motor City

The Long Island Nets (7-5), the NBA G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, were defeated by the Motor City Cruise (7-5), 111-110, on Jan . 23 at Nassau Coliseum. 

Long Island was led by Nets guard Kennedy Chandler with a regular-season high 25 points, three rebounds, five assists and one steal in 41 minutes. Brooklyn two-way forward Jalen Wilson tallied 20 points, three rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes.  Nets guard Kyler Edwards and Brooklyn assignee Noah Clowney recorded 14 points each in 34 and 19 minutes, respectively.

The two teams got off to an even start in the first quarter until Long Island went on a 9-0 run. The Nets closed the quarter ahead by five, 29-24. Motor City tried to battle back in the second quarter, but Long Island’s hot-handed offense kept steady. The Nets shot 52.4 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from behind the arc to outscore the Cruise 30-29 in the period. Long Island maintained its lead and closed the first half ahead by six, 59-53.

Motor City tried to shrink the gap in the third quarter, outscoring Long Island 31-27 in the period. Despite the Cruise’s efforts, the Nets shot 55.6 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from deep to close the period ahead by two, 86-84. Motor City found a boost of energy in the final quarter, outscoring the Nets 27-24 in the period, and the team went on to defeat Long Island by one, 111-110.

Detroit two-way guard Jared Rhoden posted a game-high 30 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 38 minutes. Pistons two-way forward Stanley Umude tallied 21 points, three rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 32 minutes.