Nets Blow Game Late To Fall To 2-3
After an easy victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in their previous game, the Brooklyn Nets knew they would have their hands full with a high-octane Pelicans team anchored by Anthony Davis.
In crushing fashion, the Brooklyn Nets let a win slip through their finger tips and into the hands of their foes.
The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Brooklyn Nets 117-115 on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center as they denied Brooklyn of a second consecutive win.
Jrue Holiday would sink a game-winning jumper with 2.0 seconds to go in the fourth quarter.
Holiday finished the game with a game-high 26 points to go along with five assists, one steal and one block on Friday night.
D’Angelo Russell, looking for Caris LeVert, would throw the ball away out of bounds on a careless turnover with 7.5 seconds to play as the Pelicans elected to not foul immediately with 21.9 seconds remaining.
Controversy would arise after Holiday’s game-winning basket as Brooklyn Nets forward Ed Davis would shove Pelicans forward Solomon Hill, who appeared to try to sneak into the Nets huddle during the timeout.
Davis would be assessed a technical foul that allowed Jrue Holiday to attempt and make a free throw to make it a 117-115 game.
Looking for a 3-pointer, a potential game-winning shot would not come into fruition as Anthony Davis would steal Joe Harris’ inbounds before throwing it ahead as time ran out.
D’Angelo Russell’s 24 points, five rebounds and four assists guided the Nets on the night, but it’s his turnover late that will be the talk of the game.
Russell was not looking at Caris LeVert during the time of his crucial turnover as the Nets were attempting to play keep away. In that situation, the only thing Russell had to do during that moment was execute a normal pass, but instead opted to try to be flashy as it cost the Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets shooting from beyond the arc kept them ahead of the Pelicans for much of the game as Brooklyn hit 19 3-pointers on the night, a new season-high.
The Nets held the edge throughout, albeit a slight one for much of the second half. Kenny Atkinson’s team built a 13-point lead in the second quarter, but couldn’t hold off Alvin Gentry’s team from getting back into the game in the third quarter.
The Pelicans came into action averaging an NBA-high 132 PPG as they had a 15.3 +/- differential in their three wins as they looked for a 4-0 start Friday night.
Brooklyn, however, had other ideas, as they limited the New Orleans Pelicans to 45 percent shooting.
Jarrett Allen and the Nets did a solid job on Pelicans Star Anthony Davis, who finished with only 18 points on the night on 31 percent shooting.
With their offensive depth, however, the Pelicans have shown they can win without their superstar having a great night as six Pelicans finished with double-digit scoring.
This is a loss that stings for Brooklyn as it’s one they led 115-108 with under two minutes to play before allowing New Orleans to go on a 9-0 run to end the game.
The Brooklyn Nets will have to lick their wounds and regroup quickly as they’ll host the Golden State Warriors late Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center.
What do you make of Brooklyn’s tough defeat on Friday night in New Orleans? Leave your comments below!
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