Winner Take All: A History of Nets Elimination Games

May 20, 2004:   Game 7   New Jersey Nets 69, Detroit Pistons 90 

The first Game 7 in Nets NBA franchise history came in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Detroit Pistons in 2004.  

After winning a triple overtime thriller on the road to take a 3-2 series lead, the Nets squandered a chance to clinch the series at home in Game 6. Back in Detroit for Game 7, nothing went right for the Nets with Jay-Z in attendance. Jason Kidd scored ZERO points on 0-8 shooting, the Nets had 16 turnovers. The offensively limited Ben Wallace of the Pistons (think Reggie Evans offensively, but worse free throw shooting) had 18 points on 8-10 shooting, etc.

“I thought New Jersey was going to come out with a lot more energy and play a lot harder,” Wallace said. “If you would’ve told me that we were going blow this team out, coming into a Game 7, I would’ve told you you’re crazy.”

In the Pistons series, the New Jersey Nets won the 3OT battle, but lost the war. In the 2013 Chicago series, the Brooklyn Nets lost the 3OT battle, but hopefully they can win the war.

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