The Nets‘ three-game winning streak came to an end in blowout fashion Wednesday night inside Barclays Center. Despite trading away Kyle Kuzma and Jonas Valanciunas earlier in the day, the ailing Washington Wizards were the clear aggressors from the opening tap and systematically dismantled Brooklyn 119-102
The Wizards opened the game on a 10-2 run and built a 21-9 lead with 5:47 left in the first quarter. The Nets shot 1-for-6 from the field with three turnovers in the first three minutes, and the night began to sputter out of control from there.
Brooklyn recovered in the second quarter with a 61.9% shooting effort, and Cam Johnson — back from a six-game absence — poured in 10 points in the period. But it still surrendered six 3-pointers and allowed Washinton to shoot 50%. It still struggled to contain Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole, who combined for 22 points in the first half. And it added up to a 65-61 Nets deficit at halftime.
The Nets shot just 21.1% in a third quarter where they were outscored 23-12, and that’s when the sport actually received out of hand. An 88-73 sport coming into the fourth quarter, the Wizards opened up a 23-point lead with 10 minutes remaining and led by 25 with 4:22 left.
There was no impressed rally from Brooklyn this time. It surrendered 20 treys, shot simply 43.4% for the sport, and allowed seven Wizards to complete in double figures. Washington was the worst group within the league record-wise coming into the night time.
The Nets fell to 17-34 with the loss.
Keon Johnson led Brooklyn with 25 factors and 6 rebounds. Johnson added 17 factors and three 3-pointers in his first look since Jan. 21.
Poole paced the Wizards with 19 factors, three rebounds and eight assists.
The Nets will return to motion on Friday in opposition to the Miami Warmth at Barclays Middle, however not earlier than Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET commerce deadline.
