Skip to content

Nets use 3-pointer, bench contributions to blow out Heat in Game 3

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Brooklyn Nets rode a hot three-point shooting night to defeat the Miami Heat by a score of 104-90 on Saturday.

Brooklyn entered the game as the worst three-point shooting team remaining in the playoffs, hitting just 32 percent of their attempts from deep. However, the Nets benefited from strong nights from guard Joe Johnson and forward Mirza Teletovic, who combined to shoot 9-of-14 from deep. As a team, Brooklyn shot 15-of-25 from beyond.

Of note, the Nets made a strategy of deploying a surplus of three-point shooters at all times, which coupled with good ball-movement, exploited weaknesses in Miami's perimeter defense. Teletovic played well as the small-ball center for Brooklyn, as his defense on James helped neutralized Miami's biggest advantage.

The Nets now trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven series and will look to square things up on Monday.

Star Performer

Although his boxscore line of 12 points and 6 rebounds appears relatively pedestrian, Nets forward Mirza Teletovic proved to be the game-changing force in Brooklyn's victory.

Slotting in as the small-ball center, Teletovic did a great job keeping LeBron James outside of the paint on defense, and shot 4-of-7 from deep on offense. His presence on the perimeter allowed the Nets to pull Miami's rim defenders out of the paint, which opened up lanes for Brooklyn's potent drive-and-kick attack. 

Plus, he called it.

Turning Point

With 7:22 left in the third quarter, James sunk a free-throw to cut the Heat's deficit to just three points. However, Teletovic caught fire from deep, and sunk three triples in the span of four minutes, which helped balloon the Nets' lead to 14 points by the end of the third.  

His outburst not only helped the Nets secure a crucial Game 3 victory, it also helped set a new franchise record.

Highlight Reel

LeBron James is really strong:

Shaun Livingston personifies the Nets' hot shooting from beyond:

Alan Anderson and Ray Allen engage in wrestling match:

Bonus: Jake Gyllenhaal third-wheeled Beyonce and Jay-Z

Quotes of the Night

Series at a Glance

Game 1: MIA 107 BKN 86 (Heat lead series 1-0)
Game 2: MIA 94, BKN 82 (Heat lead series 2-0)
Game 3: BRK 104, MIA 90 (Heat lead series 2-1)
Game 4: Monday, May 12 - 8:00 p.m. ET
Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 - TBD
Game 6*: Friday, May 16 - TBD
Game 7* - Sunday, May 18 - TBD

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox