Cam Thomas returned from lacking almost two months with a hamstring damage and the Brooklyn Nets stored successful.
Coming off a profitable return in a reserve position, Thomas hopes to assist the Nets lengthen their successful streak to 4 video games on Monday once they host the Golden State Warriors, who’re at .500 for the ninth time this season.
Thomas missed 20 video games with a strained left hamstring after getting injured within the first quarter of Brooklyn’s nine-point win at Indiana on Nov. 5. The Nets went 8-12 within the guard’s absence and commenced displaying enchancment as Thomas inched nearer to getting cleared.
Thomas contributed to Brooklyn’s 123-107 win at Minnesota by scoring 30 factors in 20 minutes on an evening when the Nets’ reserves totaled 62 factors. Thomas transformed a trio of three-point performs within the first quarter and scored 12 straight Brooklyn factors within the third as a part of a 9-of-15 displaying.
“Feeling good to be again on the market with the fellows, making the appropriate play, making the appropriate pictures and we performed very well,” Thomas stated. “We acquired a win out of this. That is even higher for me. That is good simply to have everyone related.
“All people being on the identical web page locked in, simply having no drop-off between the starters and the bench,” continued Thomas, who averages 22.3 factors, 1.6 rebounds and a couple of.8 assists for 9 video games (eight begins).
“In order that’s a very large factor, having no drop-off proper now,” he stated. “In order that they did an ideal job on the bench, got here in and did a very good job. So we wish to maintain constructing on that, and we’ll see how that goes from there. However I am simply comfortable we acquired the win.”
The Nets are 7-3 of their previous 10 video games after scoring 120 factors for the fourth time this season. Brooklyn is trying to win 4 straight for the primary time since a 12-game run Dec. 7, 2022 to Jan. 2, 2023 — shortly earlier than stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have been traded to the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks, respectively.
The Warriors have been hovering round .500 all this month and slipped to 16-16 with a 141-127 extra time loss to the host Toronto Raptors on Sunday. Golden State was outscored 19-5 in extra time and encountered difficulties defending the paint and avoiding turnovers.
The Warriors conceded 70 factors within the paint and permitted the Raptors to shoot 61.4% (35 of 57) inside. Golden State additionally allowed 35 factors off 21 turnovers, essentially the most factors by an opponent this season and the eighth time the Warriors had 20 turnovers in a sport.
Golden State dedicated 15 turnovers after halftime, together with seven within the fourth quarter after holding a 13-point lead within the third.
“Simply turnovers, finish of the third, finish of the fourth, we simply acquired scattered,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated. “I’ve acquired to get us higher organized in these stretches. That is on me.
These points spoiled a 39-point displaying from Stephen Curry, who made 12 of his season-high 30 field-goal makes an attempt, together with a 3 with 1:43 left in regulation to place Golden State up seven.
The turnover points additionally prevented the Warriors from successful 4 straight video games for the primary time this season after beating the Suns, Orlando Magic and Mavericks.
The Warriors are additionally hoping for a greater displaying on the glass after getting outrebounded 55-42. Golden State gave up 25 rebounds to Toronto’s Scottie Barnes and conceded 18 offensive rebounds.
–Discipline Degree Media
