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Nets make late comeback, but fall short against Clippers, 105-100

By Anthony Puccio
Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Why can't we have nice things?

It could've been the first perfect week for the Nets, but the Clippers ruined the parade with a 105-100 win over the Nets in Brooklyn. It seemed like it was dunk after dunk after dunk for the Clippers. Lob City certainly lived up to their nickname.

The Nets are now 7-16 on the season and have yet to win three straight games. They fought back after falling behind big, but as we always say: there are no such things as moral victories. Especially when you're 7-16.

This one got ugly from the start. The Clippers went on a 10-0 run and extended their lead to 16 in the second quarter. Former Net Paul Pierce scored eight of the 10. It was another game of catch up for the Nets, and as we know, that usually doesn't bode well.

Quick note: Thaddeus Young was given a flagrant foul in the second quarter for shoving J.J. Redick and then getting into a little exchange of words with DeAndre Jordan. Finally, a little fire from somebody!

The Nets looked to be done after falling down 18, but went on a 24-8 run behind another big fourth quarter from Andrea Bargnani. The Italian Stallion was held scoreless through the first three quarter, but scored nine points and helped the Nets cut it down to two points.

The Nets were down 10 when Hollins finally went with the hack-a-Jordan strategy. It was the difference maker as the Clippers were shooting close to 50 percent the entire game.

Suddenly, an 18-point deficit was down to two with 1:35 on the clock, but the Clippers nailed two consecutive shots after two very bad defensive breakdowns from the Nets. It quickly turned into a six-point deficit with just 49 seconds left.

They fought, they battled, but they came up short again. They had nothing to show for a 37-point fourth quarter.

For the second straight night, Brook Lopez was held in check and lost crunchtime minutes because of so. In his place, Bargnani filled the role of scoring, but defense... not so much. Blake Griffin burned him three times in the final two minutes.

Lopez finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes.

The Clippers shot 50 percent from the field and nailed eight threes on the night. They dished out 28 assists and turned the ball over just 12 times.

J.J. Redick led the Clips with 21 points and nailed four three-pointers. Chris Paul also had a big night with 15 points and 14 assists.

Overall, the Nets shot 44 percent from the field and 5-of-19 from three. This is was probably why the Nets finished with only 16 assists.

Blake Griffin scored 21 points and nine rebounds, while DeAndre Jordan chipped in a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Despite being an abysmal 39 percent free throw shooter, the Nets failed to go with the hack-a-Jordan strategy until the five-minute mark of the fourth when they were already down double digits. Probably would've been wiser to do it earlier.

All five Brooklyn starters finished in double digits. Jarrett Jack had 16 points and 11 assists; Bojan Bogdanovic had 15; and Thaddeus Young put home 18 points and five rebounds. Joe Johnson struggled early, but finished with 15 points, eight coming in the fourth.

"We came all the way back, had our chances. Proud of our guys how they battled and competed," said Lionel Hollins. Unfortunately, the NBA doesn't compile records on wins, losses and battles. Unfortunately, only the first two count.

Next up: Orlando Magic, Monday.

For more on the Clippers, check them out at Clips Nation.

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