A poor defensive fourth quarter by the Nets on Wednesday seemingly bled into Friday’s 121-102 loss to the Portland Path Blazers at Barclays Middle, spoiling Cam Thomas’ long-awaited return to the courtroom.
Portland, which entered the evening on a three-game win streak, went 10-for-10 from the sector within the opening minutes. Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez clearly sad along with his crew’s defensive effort. He known as a number of early timeouts to try to cease the bleeding, however to no avail.
The Path Blazers didn’t miss their first shot till the three:53 mark within the first quarter. Third-year standout Shaedon Sharpe began 7-for-7 from the sector and didn’t miss his first shot till there was 4:14 left within the first half.
The Nets shot 45.2% within the first half, which isn’t terrible. However they went 3-for-13 from 3-point vary, allowed Portland to shoot 64.1% and gave up 10 treys. That, plus 13 turnovers, added as much as a 64-47 halftime deficit for Brooklyn.
Brooklyn gained the third quarter 35-27 and ended the interval on an 8-0 run behind considerably higher protection and balanced scoring from Thomas, Cam Johnson and Nic Claxton, plus 15 factors from its bench. It was solely a nine-point recreation coming into the ultimate body. The sport was nonetheless inside attain.
Nevertheless, a 20-6 Portland run to begin the fourth quarter shortly put any comeback hopes to mattress.
The Nets, who fell to 21-38 this season, completed with a season-high-tying 22 turnovers within the loss. They continue to be in tenth place within the Jap Convention standings.
Thomas completed with 16 factors on 7-for-17 taking pictures, one help and three turnovers in 21 minutes. Claxton added 16 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists in his return from a one-game suspension. Day’Ron Sharpe, coming off a monster efficiency beginning instead of Claxton on Wednesday, had six factors and 7 rebounds in his return to the bench.
Shaedon Sharpe paced Portland with 25 factors, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Nets will return to motion on Saturday in opposition to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Area.
