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Nets Extend Losing Streak to Seven Following a 103-92 Blowout to Memphis

By Anthony Puccio
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

BROOKLYN -- The Brooklyn Nets summed up their losing streak and epitomized it in a one-game nutshell as they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies, 103 - 92.

It was the same story as usual. The Nets started the game hot, once again, as they hit on 5 of their first 7 shots but somehow trailed by nine after the quarter. As the half progressed, the Nets showed signs of life in the second quarter when Mirza Teletovic hit on two three pointer's to contribute to a 9-0 Nets' run.

Teletovic finished the night with 12 points and six rebounds on 4-of-8 shooting. If there's going to be any turnaround with the Nets this season, Teletovic will be a big part in doing so.

However as mentioned, the script for the Nets was one that we've seen before. They trailed by six heading into halftime after Memphis finished the half on a 7-0 run. It continued. The Grizzlies started the third quarter on a 15-4 run, which gave them a 17-point lead with 6:56 remaining in the quarter. They went on to outscore the Nets 31-20 in the quarter off 11-for-22 shooting. The Nets shot 9-for-20 in the quarter and turned the ball over six times that led to 21 points for Memphis.

If you've watched the Nets this season, you know very well that this game was over from that point on. It's the mirage they've displayed through 39 games this season: Start off hot, end with a dud to get blown out. Hence why they've lost seven straight games after tonight.

Zach Randolph led the way with 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and one steal in 32 minutes on 8-of-11 shooting.

Randolph's eight buckets all came inside the paint; all layups, 0-for-3 on jump shots. This isn't something out of the ordinary. Memphis was 28-for-39 inside the paint and outscored Brooklyn down low, 66-40. They also attempted more than double what the Nets did at the line, finishing the night 22-for-28 compared to the Nets' 10-for-12. Brooklyn also turned the ball over 18 times resulting in 22 points off turnovers for Memphis.

Hollins touched on the turnovers after the game.

"You just have to make good decisions. Life is about making decisions and making good ones. You make bad ones, bad things happen a lot more often. We just have to be better with the ball and be decisive when we're going to do something and not play in a crowd."

One of the few things the Nets did right for a change: three point shooting. One game after shooting 5-for-21 from three, and getting called out for doing so, the Nets ended tonight 10-for-26 from three. Memphis on the other hand, shot 3-of-17 from the arc.

The Nets are losers of seven straight, own a 16-23 record and face off against the Washington Wizards in a home-and-home this Friday and Saturday.

"We were there in portions. When we've played well this season, we've been there pretty much the entire game. It's a matter of sustaining effort, sustaining defense and sustaining execution," Brook Lopez said after his 11-point performance.

Mason Plumlee was once again the few bright spots for Brooklyn with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes played. Bojan Bogdanovic also looked good for the third consecutive game, scoring 11 points and six rebounds. It's his third straight game in double figures, and coincidentally, he was injected back into the rotation three games ago.

For Memphis, Marc Gasol finished with 18 points and eight rebounds and Courtney Lee scored 16 points, 15 of which coming in the first quarter. In his Grizzlies debut, Jeff Green chipped in 10 points off the bench.

"They're tough to defend," Jarrett Jack said of the Grizzlies' big men. "They've got two All-Star big guys that do a good job of establishing themselves in the paint and in the post. I give them credit. They've been playing together for a long time now and certainly found a rhythm, and that's why they're one of the best teams in the league.

At game's end, a number of fans took out their frustration on the coach and players...


Quarter by quarter summary:

First quarter ... It was a full Nets game bunched into one quarter. They started off hot (5-of-7), but missed seven of their next eight shots to surrender their small lead. It resulted in an 18-4 run and eight point lead for Memphis, eventually working the lead up to 11 which was their largest of the quarter. Courtney Lee was the anchor. He scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting to lead all scorers -- even Bojan Bogdanovic -- who finished with seven points.

The Grizzlies led, 32-23.

Second quarter ... The Nets' second unit started the second quarter with a purpose, namely Mirza Teletovic, who has struggled of late. Teletovic entered the game and the Nets immediately went on a 9-0 run with Teletovic scoring six of the nine. The Nets were out to a 15-4 scoring advantage and regained the lead at 38-36. Mirza finished the quarter with nine points and four rebounds on 3-of-4 shooting.

Both teams finished the half shooting 45.2% from the field, but it was Brooklyn's 6-of-15 from three that kept them alive. The three has been nearly extinct as of late. The Nets owned a 45-44 lead, but Memphis ended the half on a 7-0 run to give them a six point lead. They outscored the Nets in the paint 30-16 and attempted 11 more free throws.

Score at the half: Grizzlies 51, Nets 45.

Third quarter ... The Grizzlies started the second half on a scorching note. They jumped out to a 15-4 run that contained a variety of different moves from Marc Gasol that left the Brooklyn Nets dumbfounded. Memphis outscored the Nets 28-20 and led, 82-65. The Nets were 9-for-19 in the quarter without anybody providing much of an offensive spark. It was the Nets' six game losing streak in a nutshell.

Fourth quarter ... They were down 17, and the fight was gone. It's nothing new. This game was over after the third.

Final score: Grizzlies 103, Nets 92.

For more on the Memphis Grizzlies, check them out at Grizzly Bear Blues.

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