Nets Continue Strong Play Under Carlesimo

The Nets continued their strong play under new head coach P.J. Carlesimo, as Brooklyn rolled past the Sacramento Kings at Barclays Center on Saturday, 113-93.

Under Carlesimo, the Nets have won five of six games, which is the best start for a Nets coach since Lawrence Frank's 6-0 record in 2003-2004. The Nets shot 51.8 percent from the field against a Kings squad that has won just three games on the road this season.

Brooklyn received a quality effort from the reserves. MarShon Brooks and Andray Blatche each scored 15, and Mirza Teletovic added 14 as the bench helped ease pressure off the starters.

"The bench did exactly what we needed them to do," said Carlesimo. "They gave us minutes and production and they are the ones that broke the game open. Most of the first quarter we were just trading baskets and we were not stopping them at all. The bench group in the second quarter put up a great defensive effort and we stretched out their minutes because the bench was playing so well."

The starters, in limited minutes, were also effective. Brook Lopez scored 18 points in just 16 minutes, while Deron Williams and Joe Johnson each added 15 points in under 30 minutes of playing time.

Brooklyn also out-rebounded Sacramento 51-41, and the Kings shot just 40 percent from the field.

DeMarcus Cousins was a bright spot for Sacramento. The big man, who has been at the center of multiple reports of poor behavior, scored 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Sacramento finished their road trip 2-2, and will face the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Monday.

The Nets travel to Philadelphia to play the 76ers on Tuesday.