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Brooklyn Nets defeat Philadephia 76ers at Barclays

By Net Income
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

A win is a win, even in preseason, but if you were looking for consistency or good defense, you were sorely disappointed at Brooklyn's play.  Then again, it was gritty.

In a see-saw game that wasn't one for the archives, the Nets won 92-91 over the 76ers in Brooklyn.  The Nets two big signings over the summer,  Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young played solid games. Lopez finished with 24 points, including the two free throws that determined the game, nine rebounds and four blocks. Young had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

In what has become a typical effort for the Nets' 7-footer, Lopez hit on a range shots amid 12 trips to the line.

The game started poorly for the Nets as they allowed the 76ers to score 30 points and fell behind, 30-21, going up by as many as 14.  Then, as they have on more than one occasion this preseason, the Nets turned things around in the second and went up by two at the half, 49-47.

It was more of the same in the second half, with the Nets bench playing well, showing off some speed and athleticism as they went up by 14 in the third before once again getting sloppy.  At the end, Lionel Hollins re-inserted his starters (including Wayne Ellington) and their experience and mistakes by Philly's kiddie corps proved decisive.

Hollis Thompson proved the difference at the end, first losing the ball with the Sixers down one with 6.7 seconds left. Then, then seconds later after Joe Johnson missed the second of two free throws, putting  the Nets up by two, he was charged with a loose ball foul against Lopez under the basket. Lopez made both to put the Nets up by four. Scottie Wilbekin hit a three as time ran out.

Lionel Hollins had said he planned to play this game as if it were a regular season contest and had to be disappointed with his team's sloppiness.  The Nets had 20 turnovers (as did the 76ers) and shot 23.5 percent (4-of-21) from deep and 41 percent overall.

"We’ve got a long way to go," Hollins said. "[But] I can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel."

Other than the two 27-year-olds up front, there were a few positives. Johnson finished with six assists, high for the team, to go with nine points, although he did miss all four three pointers. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was a defensive presence in his 12 minutes, with a block and steal as well as three assists.  Justin Harper had another solid performance with 10 points and five rebounds while Jarrett Jack had 10 points and five assists, leading the Nets with a +11.

High point for the Nets was a fourth quarter play when RHJ deflected a pass, tipped it ahead to Shane Larkin who then rewarded him with an alley-oop that led to a spectacular dunk.

Among those fighting for the 15th spot, Donald Sloan, Quincy Miller and Dahntay Jones didn't log a minute. Nor did Sergey Karasev.  The Nets are now 2-3 for the preseason, with their final game slated for TD Garden in Boston Monday night.

For Philly, their twin towers looked good at times, with Noel scoring 15 and Jahlil Okafor 14. They had a joint highlight, early on, a fast break alley oop that had Okafor feeding Noel for the slam.

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