(Field Level Media) Dennis Schroder scored 18 points as the visiting Brooklyn Nets earned their first win under interim coach Kevin Ollie, a wire-to-wire, 111-86 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies last night.
After being outscored by 93 points in their previous three games, the Nets dominated Ollie’s third game since he took over for Jacque Vaughn. Brooklyn ended a four-game losing streak and won for the second time in nine games by allowing its lowest point total of the season.
Schroder made his second start since being acquired at the Feb. 8 trade deadline from the Toronto Raptors. He sank 7 of 12 shots from the floor and added five of Brooklyn’s 32 assists.
Cam Thomas added 14 points for the Nets but exited with right ankle injury. He got hurt stepping on teammate Day’Ron Sharpe’s foot trying to defend Yuta Watanabe with about 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Brooklyn’s Dorian Finney-Smith and Lonnie Walker IV contributed 13 points apiece, and the duo combined for 15 rebounds. Cameron Johnson added 12 points, Mikal Bridges finished with 11 and Nic Claxton chipped in 10 for the Nets, who shot 48.9 percent and led by as many as 30.
Lamar Stevens led the Grizzlies with 17 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 15 but shot just 2-for-12. Luke Kennard finished with 11 and Jake LaRavia had 10 for the Grizzlies, who shot 38.7 percent, finished with their fewest points of the season and lost for the 11th time in 13 games.
After their best defensive opening quarter on the road this season resulted in a 30-18 lead through the first 12 minutes, the Nets scored 14 straight points midway through the second to pull away. Brooklyn outscored the Grizzlies 24-9 over the final seven minutes to take a 66-40 lead into halftime.
The Grizzlies within 73-56 on a free throw by Jackson with 6:12 left in the third but moved no closer and the Nets took a 89-66 lead into the fourth. Consecutive baskets by Schroder pushed the edge to 95-68 with 9:27 left in the fourth, and the Nets pulled their starters a few minutes later.
