Dennis Schroder and Cam Johnson each score 20 points as undersized Nets beat Grizzlies again
Nets guard Dennis Schroder puts up a layup past Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey for the game-winning shot late in the second half of an NBA game at Barclays Center on Monday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It wasn’t David vs Goliath but the Nets noticeably lacked size before tipping off Monday night with one healthy center against the Grizzlies’ 7-4 rookie Zach Edey.
Noah Clowney was ruled out with right hip soreness from a late-game injury on Sunday, allowing Nic Claxton to make his long-awaited first start this season after being on a minutes restriction while working his way back from a hamstring injury.
The smaller Nets didn’t back down in their 106-104 victory over the Grizzlies at Barclays Center. Santi Aldama’s three-point attempt fell short and hit the bottom of the net as the Nets beat the Grizzlies for the second time in less than a week.
Edey tied it at 101 but the Nets (4-4) struck back. Dorian Finney-Smith’s fifth three-pointer gave the Nets a 104-101 lead and Dennis Schroder attacked Edey for a layup putting the Nets up five with 32.1 seconds left. Jaren Jackson Jr. banked in a three-pointer to cut the lead to 106-104. The Nets followed that up with a shot-clock violation as Cam Johnson’s shot fell short following a timeout.
Yet they survived with Schroder defending Ja Morant and Aldama putting up an off-balance attempt as time expired.
Coach Jordi Fernandez knew his team was at a height disadvantage, so how would the Nets respond giving up size to Edey and the 6-11 Jackson?
“With a lot of effort because I don’t think we have time to grow right now,” Fernandez said pregame. “I think our effort has to be on point.”
The Nets had that on defense at times, holding the Grizzlies to just 8-for-29 shooting on three-pointers. They also showed effort on offense, outscoring Memphis 15-14 on second-chance opportunities.
Johnson started hot for the second consecutive game, shooting 5-for-5 in the first half. He finished with 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting, his second consecutive game with at least 20 points, and third time in the last five games.
Schroder had 20 points and six assists and Finney-Smith had 17 points, all in the second half, despite picking up his fifth foul with 8:10 remaining. His five three-pointers were a season-high and most since joining the Nets in February 2023.
The Grizzlies played to their strength, scoring 20 points in the paint in the first quarter on 10 of 11 shooting. The Nets trailed 30-23 at the end of the quarter but tightened up defensively in the second.
They held the Grizzlies to just 19 points on 30.8% shooting, with the Grizzlies missing their final seven shots of the period. Cam Thomas gave the Nets a 50-49 lead at halftime after pump-faking Morant in the air before making a jumper.
Edey, the ninth pick in last summer’s draft, had his best game as a pro with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Edey made 11 of his 12 shots, and with him dominating inside, the Grizzlies scored 66 paint points.
Morant, who had 25 points and nine assists, dazzled the crowd with a pair of 360-degree layups.
The Nets had six players scored in double figures. Jalen Wilson, celebrating his 24th birthday, had 13 points off the bench. Cam Thomas had 13 points despite making just six of his 17 shots.
Claxton, still on a minutes restrictions, played just 27 minutes, the fewest of any starter. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and two steals.
The Nets have been cautious since he was sidelined all preseason with hamstring issues. Claxton said he’s still working to get comfortable on the court but hoped his minutes would increase soon.
Still, he understands the Nets being careful.
“Obviously I want to be playing my regular minutes,” he said. “But I gotta listen to my body, listen to the performance staff and hopefully I keep inching up the ranks.”
With the NBA off Tuesday to observe Election Day, the Nets don’t play again until Friday at the Celtics to start a three-game road trip.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
