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Nets clobbered by Pacers and extend losing streak to five, 114-100

By Anthony Puccio

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Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- C.J. Miles: Forever a Net killer.

Miles killed the Nets and went off for 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting to extend the Nets' losing streak to five after a 114-100 loss, Wednesday night in Brooklyn. Brook Lopez's 21-point, eight-rebound night wasn't enough to propel the Nets.

The Nets fell to 12-38 on the season and 8-20 at home this season. They have two, I repeat, TWO two-game win streaks. Needless to say, it's pretty tough to stay positive, aside from Brook Lopez's hot play and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough.

It was another rocky start for the guys in black and white. The Pacers extended their lead to 20 before the end of the half. The Pacers outscored the Nets 36-20 in the second quarter and led, 62-43. Brook Lopez had 18 points but once again, nobody else was even near double digits.

But then Brook finally received some help in the third quarter and the Nets suddenly cut the deficit down to 10 entering the fourth behind a 34-point outburst.

Joe Johnson and Thaddeus Young combined for 21 of the 34 points and gave the Nets a reason for hope in the fourth.

That was until the fourth quarter started and the reserves were forced to play.

The Pacers took advantage of the weak second unit and went up by 16 with a little under six minutes remaining. It was behind the lead of Indiana reserve C.J. Miles who led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting.

Indiana's reserves outscored the Nets' reserves 58-16. Excluding Sergey Karasev in two minutes, all the reserves finished with a negative on the plus/minus scale. They finished the night 7-of-21 from the field.

Meanwhile, the starters continued to play at a high rate as all five finished in double figures. Joe Johnson put home 20 points and nine assists; Thaddeus Young finished with his 22nd double double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Wayne Ellington chipped in 16 points and Donald Sloan 11.

It wasn't enough and at some point, isn't it worth considering Joe Johnson at point-forward for a little bit? I mean at 12-38 it can't hurt to experiment with this, especially since he appears to be Brooklyn's primary facilitator.

The Nets committed 17 turnovers to 25 assists and shot just 7-of-23 from deep. The Pacers committed 15 turnovers but nailed 12-of-24 from three. They also ran on the Nets and finished with 22 fastbreak points.

"It seems like every game we have a mental lapse or there's just turnovers," Joe Johnson said after the loss. "I have no idea. I'm sorry. I don't know. We just hurt ourselves from time to time."

Next up: Sacramento Kings, Friday at 7:30 pm.

For more on the Indiana Pacers, check them out at Indy Cornrows.

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