Nets center Jarrett Allen plays well against Wizards' Dwight Howard in return to lineup
Nets center Jarrett Allen and Nets forward Joe Harris react against the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
WASHINGTON — Jarrett Allen returned to starting lineup after missing two games with an illness and played a critical role in the Nets’ 115-104 victory over the Wizards Friday night at Capital One Arena. Wizards center Dwight Howard had a big game as he generally does against the Nets with 25 points and 17 rebounds, but Allen was a defensive force and added 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“He was pretty sick, but whatever the doctors gave him, it worked,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said of Allen. “He was outstanding. I thought his energy was great. We played him more minutes [32] than we thought we would.”
When he was with Charlotte last season, Howard averaged 22.0 points and 20.3 rebounds against the Nets, including a 32-30 game. “I’m definitely still a little fatigued from the illness, but it was time for me to get back,” Allen said. “I came in tonight with a tough matchup against Dwight Howard but I think I fared well . . . Over the offseason, I worked on my strength a lot but also the mentality that I know I’m not as strong as him but I have some strength I can use to get position. I used it on the offensive glass [six offensive rebounds].
Notes & quotes: The Nets were without power forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (sprained ankle), and that created playing time for rookie Rodions Kurucs, who had nine points and three rebounds, scoring seven in a critical second-quarter stretch when the Nets first gained the lead. “I’m excited,” Atkinson said. “I think he can help us. Very pleased with his poise, composure, activity. I’m not sure we win without him tonight. I know it doesn’t seem like it when you look at the stat sheet, but I’m not sure we do." . . . Caris LeVert (dislocated ankle) did not travel to Washington, but Atkinson expects him to start traveling before long. “I would say soon,” Atkinson said. “He’s kind of walking around.”
Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.
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