Mikal Bridges Scores Career-High 45, Nets Beat Heat

Author Cam Silver

February 16th, 2023 3:42 PM

This is the third game since the Kevin Durant trade where everyone is playing and it feels like the Nets have a star on the rise.

Mikal Bridges had a career-high with 45 points, including 15 in a row that broke the game open for the Nets after the game was close for more than 3 ½ quarters. Brooklyn beat Miami 116-105 going into the All-Star break with a win.

The Nets led 90-89 before Bridges went on his run. Over the next three minutes, he had driven to the basket, 3-pointers, and jumpers that pushed the lead to nine. The next Net to score was his former teammate in Phoenix Cam Johnson he hit a 3-pointer to push the lead to 108-96.

In the final quarter, Bridges scored 17 points breezing by his previous best of 34 points. Bridges went 17 of 24 from the field, 4 of 6 from downtown, and 7 for 7 from the free throw line. He also added eight rebounds and five assists.

“I think overall just his spirit and energy and juice, even at our walkthrough today, like he had the mindset it seemed like he wasn’t going to let us lose,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

Bridges the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year last season is showing how good he really is on the offensive end. With the Nets, he will have more freedom to become a great 2-way player. Someone who can defend the opposing team’s best player and get his points on the offensive end.

Cam Thomas came off the bench and scored 19 points, Johnson had 18 points for the Nets.

Bam Adebayo had 24 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists for the Heat. Max Strus scored 18 points.

With this loss, the Heat fall behind the Knicks in the east standings putting them in seventh place. They hope to get Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, and Victor Oladipo healthy over the break and hit the ground running for the rest of the season.

When Ben Simmons entered the game he was showered with boos from the crowd. He finished with two points, four rebounds, and four assists. It sucks for the Nets to be in this position, paying a player superstar money when he can’t produce half of what he used to. When he is out there it seems as if he just takes up space.

In his last 10 games, he is averaging 3.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Unacceptable for a 6’10 guard that is capable of a lot more. It’s getting to the point where coach Jacque Vaughn doesn’t know what to do with him.

These Celebrities Have February Birthdays

• Harry Styles

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• Shakira

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  Her hips don't lie on February 2 -- that's when the Colombian singer celebrates her birthday. The "Queen of Latin Music" has had an impressive music career, beginning at just 13 years old! With a catalog of 145 songs, Shakira has sold over 95 million records, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

• Alice Cooper

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  The Godfather of Shock Rock celebrates his birthday on February 4. His band -- also called Alice Cooper -- reached their commercial peak in 1973 with their sixth studio album, 'Billion Dollar Babies.' He kept the name and began a solo career in 1975 with over 50 million records sold. Cooper is also a film actor (usually playing himself), a golfer and, a restaurateur.
• Axl Rose

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• Garth Brooks

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• Tom Hiddleston

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• Michael B. Jordan

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• Joe Pesci

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• Jennifer Aniston

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• Sheryl Crow

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• Brandon Boyd

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• Megan Thee Stallion

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• Ice-T

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• Mahershala Ali

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• Billie Joe Armstrong

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• Ed Sheeran

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• Taylor Hawkins

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• Dr. Dre

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• John Travolta

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• Rihanna

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• Drew Barrymore

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• Daniel Kaluuya

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• Michael Bolton

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• Johnny Cash

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• Jason Aldean

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Author Cam Silver

Category:

• Local Sports
• Sports

Tags:

NBA,Nets