Trying to keep away from a five-game dropping streak, the Nets battled in a see-saw matchup in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans to get again into the win column.
Down 112-110, Brooklyn’s destiny got here all the way down to Michael Porter Jr., who had a chance to take the lead on a fading three-pointer on a play drawn up by head coach Jordi Fernandez following a timeout.
Porter missed. Pelicans ahead Trey Murphy III regained possession and later knocked down two free throws in what turned a 116-113 win for the Pelicans.
It was Brooklyn’s fifth straight loss and eighth loss in 10 video games.
Murphy led the way in which with 34 factors, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, two steals and a block.
Porter scored a team-high 20 factors. The ahead had an opportunity to ship the sport into additional time, however misfired on a possible buzzer-beating heave on the finish of regulation.
Egor Dëmin completed 17 factors and 5 assists. The rookie knocked down 5 treys, notching his seventh consecutive recreation with a number of three-pointer made. The mark ties a franchise rookie file set by Kerry Kittles.
To start out the night time, Fernandez’s squad look able to halt the skid at 4 video games.
On the ultimate night time of All-Star Sport fan voting, Porter continued his marketing campaign for a spot with 9 first quarter factors after going 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
The surge helped the Nets to a 12-point benefit, however a 15-7 Pelicans end shortened the result in 4 on the finish of the primary quarter.
The Nets traded buckets all through the second whereas managing to carry the lead.
Murphy’s trey on the 2:22 mark of the second acquired the Pelicans inside one, however makes by Porter and Dëmin pushed the Nets’ lead once more. A minute later, Murphy struck once more with one other trey to get inside one possession, 55-52, earlier than Zion Williamson scored a layup to get the house crew inside a degree once more.
Ultimately, the Nets saved the lead, 55-54, going into halftime. Dëmin and Porter contributed 12 and 11 first-half factors, respectively, whereas Murphy already constructed a good statline after two quarters: 18 factors on 7-of-11 taking pictures to go along with 4 rebounds and two assists.
New Orleans presence within the paint is what sustained them within the back-and-forth battle on Wednesday night time. They totaled 64 on the night time — 12 greater than Brooklyn’s 52.
And naturally, it was a tip-in make by Yves Missi on the 8:51 mark within the third that gave the Pelicans the lead, 63-61.
Seven lead modifications and 6 ties ensued afterwards as the 2 groups entered the fourth with 87 factors apiece because of Cam Thomas’ fadeaway 25-footer and Karlo Matkovic’s conventional three-point play seconds earlier than the interval ended.
Finally, New Orleans narrowly outscored Brooklyn, 29-26, to safe the win.
The Nets will now look to keep away from a six-game dropping streak after they host the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
