Is there an answer for the Nets?  Can any team stop the dynamic duo of Lamont "No Answer For Me" Shuford and Tony "All I Got" Reese?  As I watch this team improve, I see the team's chemistry improve.  The additions of Tony Reese, Santonio Howard (#19), and Trea Tells (#25) have definitely been a plus.  The Nets have become the fastest team in the league.  They play with a lot intensity that is sparked by "No Answer For Me" Shuford, "All I Got" Reese, and Trea Tells.  Keith LaFavor (#21) did a wonderful job recruiting during this past off-season.  Their opponents have become more competitive each week. 

The Heat basically went through a complete transformation during the off-season by acquiring Felton Scott (#17), Bryant Short (#4), Donald Brophy (#13), Johnny Sanchez (#15), Christopher Alexander (#27), Bernard Smith (#7), and Michael Brown (#3).  Tim Elder has definitely set his sights on winning and it shows in his 5 - 7 record.  If this team of players ever agree to win, as one, they are going to shakeup the league.

The Nets' starting lineup consisted of:  #21 Keith LaFavor, #32 Willie Walker, #42 Tony Reese, #30 Rodney Patrick, and #45 Lamont Shuford.  The Heat's starting lineup consisted of:  #4 Bryant Short, #8 Antonio Anthony, #11 Norman King, #13 Donald Brophy, and #15 Johnny Sanchez.

On 4 June 2016, these two powerhouses met a center court to get it on.  First possession went to the Nets along with the first 9 points.  Tony "All I Got" Reese and Lamont "No Answer For Me" Shuford started the game in fourth gear.  They wasted no time rebounding, moving, and scoring.  That caught the Heat sleeping and caused them to take a "full" timeout at 18:07.  Things began to pickup for both teams, but the Nets' train had already left the station early.  Tony Reese poured in 15 quick points to lead the Nets.  The Heat's Norman King (#11) and Christopher Alexander scored 7 points, each.  The only negative I observed, from the Heat, was that they were avoiding fouls by shooting away from their defenders.  The Nets were moving with a sense of urgency and captured a 16 point lead by the end of the first half.  They outscored the Heat 38 to 23.  The Heat committed three team fouls and the Nets committed five.

The second half showed us something different.  We watched two teams play smart basketball.  Five players, from each team, contributed to the scoring chart.  Most of the points were generated from mid-range to backboard shots down low.  Players were comfortable penetrating and passing to another teammate, if necessary.  Outside shots were only taken to keep defenders off-balance.  The fans could not stop cheering because the action was constant as both teams found their groove.  Johnny Sanchez (#15) led the Heat with 9 second half points.  Tony Reese and Lamont Shuford scored 7 second half points, each, to lead the Nets.  The Heat's movement and inside play caused the Nets to commit eight team fouls in the second half.  The Nets' inside play caused the Heat to commit five team fouls.  The Heat outscored the Nets 26 - 23, but the victory belonged to the Nets.  They defeated the Heat 61 - 49. 

The Nets' scorers were:  #42 Tony Reese with 22 points, #45 Lamont Shuford with 13 points, #30 Rodney Patrick with 9 points, #19 Santonio Howard with 4 points, #25 Trea Tells with 4 points, #40 Willie Filmore with 3 points, #21 Keith LaFavor with 3 points, and #32 Willie Walker with 3 points.

The Heat's scorers were:  #27 Christopher Alexander with 12 points, #15 Johnny Sanchez with 11 points, #10 Norman King with 10 points, #4 Bryan Short with 7 points, #13 Donald Brophy with 6 points, and #14 Tim Elder with 3 points.