Green, Ignite bullied by win-hungry Nets, lose 3 of last 4 games

The Long Island Nets outgunned the NBA G League Ignite as they ran away with an easy 109-97 win on Monday, February 22 (Tuesday, February 23, Manila time) at the Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida.

With the win, the Nets improved to 3-5 for the season, while Ignite held on to 5th place with a 5-3 record, with all 3 losses coming in their last 4 games.

Fil-Am high-flyer Jalen Green led the losing cause in the second game of a back-to-back set with a team-high 21 points, and a 5-of-6 clip from downtown while fellow prospect Jonathan Kuminga was held to just 10 markers on 3-of-11 shooting.

Coming off a career-high 23 points in Ignite’s 122-109 drubbing of the Greensboro Swarm in the last game, prospect big man Isaiah Todd was locked down to just 8 points this time around on a 3-of-10 clip while guard Daishen Nix also had 8 markers.

Long Island kept the gutsy Ignite just out of striking distance for long stretches throughout the second half after setting the tone with a 15-point lead, 50-35, late in the 2nd quarter.

Although a Donta Hall tip-in capped a 13-5 Ignite run at the 5:06 mark of the 3rd frame to get within 4, 64-68, the Nets promptly regained control with a 10-2 response to go back up 12, 78-66, with 1:11 left.

Green and Kuminga sparked a handful of comeback attempts in the payoff period to get Ignite’s deficit at least within single digits, but the Nets just repeatedly abused the youngsters’ defense in the post to keep their lead safe down the stretch.

Former Brooklyn Nets guard Jeremiah Martin then wrapped things up with two late free throws as the Long Island lead peaked at 17, 108-91, in the final 1:32 of regulation.

Martin finished with game-highs of 24 points, and 8 assists while current Brooklyn two-way contract center Reggie Perry added 21 points on a stellar 10-of-14 clip.

Ignite will get a one-day breather in a hectic, five-game week as they next prepare for the Memphis Hustle on Thursday, February 25. – Rappler.com