Nets’ Dennis Smith Jr. on beating OKC: ‘everybody can just breathe now’
NEW YORK — Dennis Smith Jr. has been one of the more important players for the Brooklyn Nets this season due to the intangibles that he brings to a team. He was instrumental to Brooklyn their five-game losing streak against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
“Everybody can just breathe now,” Smith said after putting up 13 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists in Friday’s 124-115 over the Thunder. Prior to Friday’s win, Brooklyn had lost their last five games, including a 124-108 loss at Oklahoma City on Sunday, but it looks like the Nets got their revenge.
“We got a monkey off our back after having a pretty solid start to the season,” Smith said. “We had a little (losing) streak last week where we slid for a little minute so it feels good to get a win.”
In almost astounding fashion, the Nets won the first quarter 39-21 thanks to some incredible play on both ends of the floor that hasn’t been seen in quite some time. However, Brooklyn lost the second half 68-49 as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34 points) started to get some help from his teammates to make the game interesting.
It was the kind of win that Brooklyn has been looking for recently and to get it against the Thunder is a quality one. Smith more than did his part to make sure of that.
