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Nets Clinch, and Owner Wants You to Know Nets Clinch, and Owner Wants You to Know
(35 minutes later)
Upon seeing his team clinch its first playoff berth in six years, Mikhail D. Prokhorov celebrated with the verbal equivalent of a Champagne shower.Upon seeing his team clinch its first playoff berth in six years, Mikhail D. Prokhorov celebrated with the verbal equivalent of a Champagne shower.
“Of course I’m pleased the Nets have made the playoffs, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” Prokhorov, the Nets’ colorful owner, said in a statement on Friday.“Of course I’m pleased the Nets have made the playoffs, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” Prokhorov, the Nets’ colorful owner, said in a statement on Friday.
That Prokhorov was happy is understandable. He committed $330 million to a roster overhaul last summer, two years after spending $200 million to buy a controlling stake in the franchise. This will be the Nets’ first postseason appearance on his watch — the first tangible payoff from his rather large investment. That Prokhorov was happy is understandable. He committed $330 million to a roster overhaul last summer, two years after spending $200 million to buy a controlling stake in the franchise. This will be the Nets’ first postseason appearance on his watch — the first tangible payoff from his rather large investment, and the first time any Brooklyn team has reached a postseason since 1956, when the Dodgers played in the World Series.
But the news release was unusual, to say the least. No N.B.A. owner has issued a statement to commemorate a playoff berth, as far as anyone in league circles can recall. Prokhorov’s news release was unusual, to say the least. No N.B.A. owner has issued a statement to commemorate a playoff berth, as far as anyone in league circles can recall.
The Nets (40-28) clinched a trip to the playoffs when the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. That result ensured that the 76ers could not catch the Nets under any circumstances.The Nets (40-28) clinched a trip to the playoffs when the Philadelphia 76ers lost to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night. That result ensured that the 76ers could not catch the Nets under any circumstances.
In an odd twist, the Nets secured their spot before the rival Knicks, even though the Knicks had a better record on Friday morning, at 40-26.In an odd twist, the Nets secured their spot before the rival Knicks, even though the Knicks had a better record on Friday morning, at 40-26.
The reason is that the Nets held tiebreakers over the two ninth-place teams — the 76ers (based on division record) and the Toronto Raptors (based on head-to-head play). The Knicks held the tiebreaker against the 76ers (with a 3-1 advantage in the season series), but as of Friday morning did not hold the tiebreaker against the Raptors (1-1).The reason is that the Nets held tiebreakers over the two ninth-place teams — the 76ers (based on division record) and the Toronto Raptors (based on head-to-head play). The Knicks held the tiebreaker against the 76ers (with a 3-1 advantage in the season series), but as of Friday morning did not hold the tiebreaker against the Raptors (1-1).
The Knicks went on to beat the Raptors on Friday night to clinch a playoff berth. That game also had other implications for the Atlantic Division race.The Knicks went on to beat the Raptors on Friday night to clinch a playoff berth. That game also had other implications for the Atlantic Division race.
Because the Knicks and the Nets split their season series (2-2), their division records would become the first tiebreaker if they finished the season with identical records. The Nets have the edge, with a 9-4 mark against Atlantic opponents, compared with a 7-6 mark for the Knicks after their win against Toronto.Because the Knicks and the Nets split their season series (2-2), their division records would become the first tiebreaker if they finished the season with identical records. The Nets have the edge, with a 9-4 mark against Atlantic opponents, compared with a 7-6 mark for the Knicks after their win against Toronto.
The Knicks have three divisional games left, one against Toronto and two against Boston. The Nets also have three divisional games remaining, against Philadelphia, Boston and Toronto. The Knicks have three divisional games left, one against Toronto and two against Boston. The Nets have three divisional games remaining, against Philadelphia, Boston and Toronto.
A simultaneous swoon by the New York teams could open a door for the Celtics (36-31 through Thursday) to move back into the division race, although that seems unlikely. Boston has won the last five Atlantic titles.A simultaneous swoon by the New York teams could open a door for the Celtics (36-31 through Thursday) to move back into the division race, although that seems unlikely. Boston has won the last five Atlantic titles.
The Knicks have not won their division since the 1993-94 season. The Nets last won it in 2005-6.The Knicks have not won their division since the 1993-94 season. The Nets last won it in 2005-6.
The Nets have ensured themselves of their best record in six years (since going 41-41 in 2006-7), with a chance to reach 50 wins for just the second time since joining the N.B.A.The Nets have ensured themselves of their best record in six years (since going 41-41 in 2006-7), with a chance to reach 50 wins for just the second time since joining the N.B.A.
But then, the swaggering Prokhorov has set the bar much higher. Upon buying the team in 2010, he vowed to win a championship within five years. He reiterated that goal last fall and set a specific objective for this season: to make the Eastern Conference finals.But then, the swaggering Prokhorov has set the bar much higher. Upon buying the team in 2010, he vowed to win a championship within five years. He reiterated that goal last fall and set a specific objective for this season: to make the Eastern Conference finals.
If a playoff berth is worth a news release, one can only imagine what Prokhorov might do if the Nets made it that far.If a playoff berth is worth a news release, one can only imagine what Prokhorov might do if the Nets made it that far.
“We have a lot of talent, which is really coming together now and starting to jell,” Prokhorov said Friday. “I am confident that the team’s best days on the court are still ahead.”“We have a lot of talent, which is really coming together now and starting to jell,” Prokhorov said Friday. “I am confident that the team’s best days on the court are still ahead.”