Brook Lopez got the better of brother Robin as the in-form Brooklyn Nets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in Monday night's only NBA game.
There weren't supposed to be any matches on the night of the NCAA National Championship, but the Nets and Blazers were forced to reschedule after their January 26 game was postponed because of bad weather in New York.
Portland coach Terry Stotts left out LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Kaman and Nicolas Batum and the Nets took advantage of the visitors' weakened frontcourt with a 106-96 victory at Barclays Center.
After an even first quarter, Brooklyn effectively won the match in the second by claiming it 32-13 to move 16 points ahead at half time.
The lead was extended further to 22 in the third, but Portland fought back and were within six at one point before the hosts eased away late on.
Brook Lopez had 32 points and nine rebounds, while Deron Williams had a double-double for the home side (24 points, 10 rebounds).
Portland point-guard Damian Lillard was the game's top scorer with 36 points, including six three-pointers, but it wasn't enough as the Blazers dropped further behind the top five in the Western Conference.
They are guaranteed a top-four seed in the playoffs as they are the Northwest division champions, but they are not assured home-court advantage as that is based solely on which team has the best record.
Brooklyn have won seven of their last eight and currently hold the seventh spot in the East.
Pascal Lemesre
