In a battle between a team that has recently seen its distant playoff hopes dwindle and another team that at one point lost 26 straight games, the New Jersey Nets fought to an exciting 98-94 overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena.
The Nets, who improved to 5-4 in overtime games this season, had six players in double figures, but were led by Kris Humphries.
Humphries scored 18 points and ripped down a new career-high 23 rebounds to record the double-double.
In a game that saw a plethora of missed shots, Humphries was able to establish himself on the glass and give the Nets second, and sometimes third, opportunities.
The Cavaliers shot just 37 percent from the field, while the Nets checked in at an even worse 34 percent.
Brook Lopez and Sasha Vujacic each scored 18 points, while Travis Outlaw added 17, including a few clutch baskets in overtime.
With Deron Williams still injured, Sundiata Gaines inactive and Ben Uzoh’s flight delayed due to weather, Jordan Farmar was the only true point guard on the active roster for this game.
The 6'2'' point guard recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists.
Ramon Sessions led the Cavs with 21 points in the losing effort. J.J. Hickson recorded a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds.
The Cavs opened a three-point lead heading into halftime, but struggled with turnovers in the third quarter, allowing the Nets to keep the game close.
The game was tight heading into the final minutes, with the score knotted at 80. With less than a minute remaining, Anthony Parker drilled a shot from the top of the key to give the Cavs a two-point lead.
However, Lopez answered right back after tipping home his own miss to send the game to overtime.
The Cavs committed some questionable fouls in overtime that gave the Nets free points at the foul line. Up by two points with 3.2 seconds left, Farmar hit two free-throws to ice the game.
The Nets earned just their fifth road win of the season, but also snapped their four-game losing streak and five-game road losing streak.
New Jersey heads to Orlando to take on Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic Friday evening. The Nets will look to play out the final 12 games strong in hopes of building some momentum heading into the offseason.
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