To say that Deron Williams hasn't lived up to his potential with the Brooklyn Nets would be a huge understatement.
Even before having surgeries on both ankles last May, the point guard's play left much to be desired. This playoff series has been the same story, as he combined in Games 2 and 3 to only score five points. That's not a typo...seriously, a combined five points in two playoff games.
But something must have clicked for Williams on Monday night. With his eighth-seed Nets trailing the No. 1 Atlanta Hawks, 2-1, in their first-round series, Williams came alive. Scratch that—D. Will came alive.
Williams scored 35 points, including nailing seven three-pointers, flashing that same electric handle that made him an All-Star from 2010-12. What's best is his spectacular night led the Nets to a 120-115 overtime victory over the Hawks. All of a sudden, this is a serious series, now tied up at 2-2.
Peep some of Williams' heroics below. The behind-the-back dribble and long, long distance three...oh, come on.
This is the kind of thing NBA 2K heat check dreams are made of.
And Williams wasn't the only NBA point guard throwing his super hero cape on Monday night. All-Star point guard Damian Lillard helped the Portland Trail Blazers stave off elimination by scoring 32 points to lead them to a 99-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. In doing so, Lillard dropped jaws, splitting two defenders with this spin move and finishing this up-and-under drive on Marc Gasol with a bucket. Unbelievable move...quite possibly the best highlight of this postseason thus far. Lillard's Trail Blazers are now down 3-1 in the series.
The Milwaukee Bucks also avoided elimination, scoring a 94-88 win over the Chicago Bulls. Michael Carter-Williams had an all-around balanced performance with 22 points, nine assists and eight boards. Here's a highlight of him taking Derrick Rose to the hoop. Bucks trail the series, 3-2 now.
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