MEMPHIS, Tenn. — This was the game the Nets needed. And they went out and took it, from the opening tip all the way to the final buzzer.
All the way to interim Kevin Ollie getting doused in the victorious postgame locker room, and getting the game ball for his first win.
A 111-86 rout of the Grizzlies before 15,417 at FedExForum. And maybe even a couple more looking down from above.
“Yeah, I got the game ball. It’ll go in my office first. Definitely gonna touch it and put it up for my mom in heaven and my sister in heaven,” Ollie said after his first ‘W’ since replacing the fired Jacque Vaughn. “I know they were watching over me in this first win. So definitely gonna raise it up and toast to them.”
It was a comprehensive win, with seven Nets in double figures. Dennis Schroder had led the way with 18 points and five assists. And he fittingly led the way in the dousing of Ollie, pouring a bucket over him.
“Can we make this fast? I’m soaking wet. They doused me. So I will get a cold here, so can we make this real fast please?” Ollie laughed.
“Yeah, it’s just a great win and they got me good. All my other coaches left me out to dry and they stayed in the back. I should’ve known something then when they stayed out in the back and got out of the way. So it was a good moment in the locker room.”
After a ton of good moments on the court.
Granted, the Nets didn’t have to face Ja Morant or Desmond Bane or Marcus Smart. But they didn’t care. Not even losing Cam Thomas late could ruin this mood.
“Yeah, it’s just phenomenal. They just kept believing. It’s been a couple up-and-down days, unknown days, and they just stayed together. And one thing I know about his team: They love each other. And that’s the only thing I want to see because love can get through anything,” Ollie said.
“It’s special. It’s 30 coaches in the league, and he’s one of them. Got his first win. That’s pretty special and more to come, hopefully this season. But that was special for him,” said Schroder, who broke a slump himself. “But we’ve got to move forward now. Got to enjoy tonight and then tomorrow against a good team in Orlando.”
The Nets — who’d lost four straight, the last two under Ollie — ran out to a quick 14-5 lead midway through the first quarter on a 3-pointer by Bridges.
Brooklyn led the Grizzlies 30-18 at the end of the first quarter that saw them dish out 11 assists on 13 baskets, including Thomas finding Cam Johnson off an inbounds in the waning seconds.
It was the fewest points the Nets had surrendered in a first quarter on the road this season, and they kept up that defense.
With the threadbare Grizzlies still hanging around 42-31 after Lamar Stevens’ jumper with 7:10 left in the half, the Nets put it away.
Brooklyn held Memphis to just 1 of 7 shooting the rest of the half, forcing four turnovers for good measure.
They closed on a 24-7 run, taking a 66-40 cushion into the locker room.
It reached 27 several times — when Schroder found Nic Claxton for a dunk to make it 68-41, and again on a Thomas 3 for a 71-44 cushion with 8:59 left in the third.
There was little drama in the fourth.
The highlight was likely Lonnie Walker (13 points) going around-the-back to spin Luke Kennard around in transition. But the real highlight was their passing, and breaking their offensive skid.
“Much needed. We forgot what that felt like. So it’s a good feeling. But its on to the next one. So you’ve got to come in prepared and locked in for [Tuesday],” Ben Simmons said.
“Just knowing we don’t have time, and it’s gonna come down to details and just wanting it more. Obviously Memphis isn’t the best team in the league, but everyone’s gonna come and compete and that’s what they did. But we hit them first.”
