It all started as a normal trip to a New Jersey Nets game.

The night was planned as usual: get to the IZOD Center right before tip-off, choose some upgraded upper level seats instead of my normal crappy season tickets, watch the Nets trail slightly at the half, watch the Nets get embarrassed in the third quarter, watch the Nets lose in a blowout, and drive home.

Turns out JB and I were in for a treat that we could not have expected.

After sitting in some exciting NJ Turnpike traffic, JB and I (Shooter) arrived at the IZOD a few minutes before tip-off. Instead of sitting in my upper level, corner, third-to-last row season tickets, we were able to snag some upper level, center court, tenth-to-last row seats ready to watch the Nets play their local rival, the New York Knicks. Our ‘new’ seats were a slight upgrade, but we had to settle for what we could get.

The game started with the Chris Duhon draining some quick threes (which ended up being his only buckets of the game) to give the Knicks an early lead. Before the quarter was over, Brook Lopez (21 points, 14 rebounds, 4 blocks) and co. was able to cut the deficit to one point. But that wasn’t the most exciting thing that happened in the first quarter. JB got a text from one of our buddies that he and his girlfriend were in the arena, sitting in the 5^th row. At that point, we were determined to sit with them ASAP.

A few text messages later, JB was able to get down there using one of their tickets before the first quarter was over. Meanwhile, as the second quarter was going on, I sat 2.3 miles away in the upper level looking down on them in jealousy. But I knew my moment would come, so I tried to enjoy the game. And I sure did! Nearly half way through the second quarter, the Nets made a run to take the lead when Keyon Dooling (12 points) and Yi Jianlian (22 points, 6 rebounds) combined to carry the team. That’s when I got a text to meet JB on the concourse for another ticket trade off which lead to me moving down to the 5^th row as well!

The first half was incredible for JB and me, thanks to the Nets holding an exciting 7-point lead and a 45-row upgrade for the two of us. At the half, the Dunking Divas provided quite a show. Truly, you haven’t seen the Dunking Divas until you’ve seen them from the 5^th row, haha.

The second half was simply a continuation of how the first half ended. After playing in Detroit night before, the back-to-back games seemed to catch up to the Knicks, who looked sluggish. That also rubbed off on the Nets (or is that just normal for this team?) as the teams combined for a sloppy 25 turnovers, 15 of which belonged to NY.

The Nets actually played a great third quarter (for once) and they were able to extend their lead before the final period to 13 points. Clearly, something was in the air that Nets were happy to take advantage of. Maybe it was the fact that the Knicks just didn’t want it as much, despite the fact that they had a chance to win their 10^th game in December. Knicks fans should be disappointed in that.

David Lee did have a great game on the stat sheet (24 points, 12-20 FG, 15 rebounds, 8 assists), but there were countless moments that JB and I realized he just wasn’t hustling after loose balls. Again, another disappointment from a talented player. Al Harrington brought it in the fourth quarter, finishing with 25 points and 9 rebounds, but it was not enough for the ‘Bockers, who lost 104-95.

So the Nets win their 3^rd game of the season, avoiding loss #30 for one more game – their second home win of the season! This win was especially momentous for me because I missed the team’s only home win of the season nearly four weeks ago against the Bobcats. And I really wasn’t sure if I’d see them win a game despite my season tickets. I’m dead serious when I say that!

Chris Douglas-Roberts returned from an ankle injury to pick up a hard-fought 17 points. Devin Harris played well too, scoring 15 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The remaining Nets fans in the crowd erupted as the buzzer sounded in appreciation of not only a rare win, but beating the dreaded Knicks nonetheless!

It was incredible to be able to see a great win like this from the seats we were in. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face until we had to sit in traffic again while leaving the arena.

JB’s Stats of the Game

Battle of the role players:  Trenton Hassell (#44) outscores Jared Jefferies (#20) 1-0 (+ Jefferies had 5 fouls)

Jonathan Bender: 4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists – It is cool to see Bender back in the league and to watch him in person. It was in limited time (14 minutes), but I am still glad he’s back in the league.

-Shooter & JB

BONUS VIDEO!