For a team like the Nets that doesn’t have a large margin of error when they play good teams, almost everything has to go right in order for them to win. Even when most things go right–such as the NBA’s leading scorer going 4-for-15 from the field–it’s still hard for them to come away with the victory.
Tonight, down in Houston, almost everything went right for the Nets. James Harden was off his game, the Rockets shot under 30 percent from the field and Brooklyn actually played good defense here and there. The Nets even had a five-point lead with 2:34 left in the fourth quarter!
But then, Jarrett Jack–with nine seconds left on the shot clock–wasted a possession with a stupid three-point attempt. Terrence Jones–who scored a game-high 26 points–responded with an easy hoop. Brook Lopez, after corralling a Joe Johnson miss, threw up a contested layup when he could have reset the possession. Patrick Beverley drilled a wide open three to tie the score at 95.
Okay, it’s Nets ball with 70 seconds left and the score evened up at 95. Maybe they got the ball to Lopez on the post or to Joe Johnson with a mismatch? Nope. Rookie Markel Brown missed a lightly contested three, which led to a three-point possession for Harden on the other end. A 8-0 run for Houston that–even with a Deron Williams layup and Johnson free throw–closed out a win for the Rockets, who had no business winning the game.
The Nets raced out to a 12-2 lead to start the game and led much of the way. However, in their preferred fashion, Brooklyn was able to barely snatch defeat in the face of certain victory, using an odd rotation that saw Thaddeus Young play just 16 minutes with Brown playing 35 as well as some of the worst shot selection I have ever seen. A perfect recipe for failure for the Nets, who have a multitude of veterans but cannot seem to close out any win over a decent team. Phenomenally depressed and embarrassing stuff.
Assorted thoughts: Let’s get this straight, Lionel Hollins. Thaddeus Young (nine points) should be playing at least 25 minutes every night, regardless of the circumstances or opponent. The fact that he played for just one-third of this game is idiotic and irrational. He’s one of the only Nets who can get to loose balls, defend the other team’s top frontcourt players while also providing an offensive threat. The Nets could have used him down the stretch, when they needing a big rebound or basket during their drought late in the game. He should be in….Was nice to see Lopez pull down 12 rebounds but he and Jack’s combined 6-for-21 shooting really brought Brooklyn down. The bench was bad all night and whenever the starters were taken out, the Rockets made significant strides in cutting down their deficit while also taking a lead. Cory Jefferson provided a spark but only played 10 minutes, so his impact was limited….Joe put together a near double-double (13 points, nine rebounds and six assists) but did not shoot well (5-for-13) and wasn’t given the ball enough in the fourth quarter to enforce his will at the rim. When he gets the rock in good post position, he’s impossible to defend. Problem is the Nets never even looking to set him up when they needed points….Brown, in his second career start, played well, scoring 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Still, he took way too many low-percentage jumpers that could have easily been turned into a layup with a few extra passes and more ball movement. Rookie mistakes….Strong bounceback from Mason Plumlee in 22 minutes with 15 points on 10 shots. Brook clearly didn’t have it tonight so I wonder why he got the late game playing time instead of Plums….Brooklyn shot 4-for-17 from three-point range in this one, that equates to 23.5 percent for you non-math people out there. The Rockets didn’t do much better, but would it kill this to hit an open three for once? Just one here and there would make an enormous difference.
Onto the next one: Tomorrow night in Dallas. Nets lose, they slip further into the mess that is the East’s battle for the No. 8 seed. Nets win, they might be back on top again.
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