Wizards 123, Nets 104: Agent Zero Delivers

The Nets cracked 100 points against the Wizards tonight.

That’s about where the positives end for New Jersey.

Washington shot 61% and 64% from the floor and three, respectively while putting up

Gilbert Arenas played like he wasn’t being guarded — and to be fair at times he wasn’t — proving his knee is 100% while scoring 32 points.  Andray Blatche put up a career-high 30 and Randy Foye added 17 as Washington played with out starters Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

New Jersey also played short handed, as Devin Harris sat out with a strained groin that is expected to have him out for at least 7-10 days.

Player of the Game: Chris Douglas-Roberts

He must have been reading this very spot when I said it was time for him to step up his game in order to hold onto his starting spot.  After struggling in the Nets first two games, CDR dropped a career-high 25 points, grabbed 4 rebounds and handed out 3 assists.

No one expects him to pour in 25 points every night, but he will need to play with the same level of aggressiveness that he had tonight.  Especially with Harris out of the lineup for an extended period of time, more players are going to have to be able to create their own shots and that’s what Douglas-Roberts has always done best.

Honorable Mention: Rafer Alston

Filling in for the injured Harris, Alston picked up the slack by dishing out 8 assists.  He also scored 20 points on 8 for 11 shooting from the field and proved he will have no trouble running the show while the Nets are without their young star.

Just like CDR, Alston won’t be expected to provide this much offense throughout the season, but while Harris is on the shelf he will have to provide more than his 10 ppg career average.

Goat of the Game: Nets Defense

I don’t care who is and isn’t healthy, you cannot play that sort of defense and expect to win.  At any level.  Ever.

Arenas is a great player and clearly means business this season.  He is always going to get his.  But Blatche?  Last year — his fourth in the league — showed a huge improvement getting his PPG up to 10.  Not exactly the resume of a guy that should be shooting 15 of 18 from the floor.

Tags: Chris Douglas-Roberts, Game Recap, Rafer Alston, Washington Wizards