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Nets extend franchise-worst 15-game home losing streak in loss to Memphis

By Anthony Puccio
NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports

They Nets have lost 13 straight games and 15 straight at home... 29 of 31 overall. They still haven’t won a game in front of their home crowd in 2017. It’s now a franchise record.  Another franchise record: the Nets have lost eight straight games by less than 10 points.

And so, we’re only one game away from the All-Star break and trade deadline. Hopefully that brings fans more excitement than what’s been happening on the court over the last couple of months.

The latest loss came against the 34-23 Memphis Grizzlies, 112-103, Monday night in Brooklyn. Mike Conley led with 32 points as the Grizzlies controlled both sides of the ball, shooting 51 percent from the field while containing Brook Lopez to just two points in the first half and then two points in the fourth quarter.

The first half wasn’t exactly a thriller, unless you’re living in the past and yelling "IT’S A VC THREE" still (IT’S OK IF YOU ARE.) The former Net legend nailed three 3-pointers in the first half and played a key role in the Grizzlies’ 52-42 lead at the break.

Lopez was held to just two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the first 24 minutes. Call it a defensive battle or just call it ugly. Your choice. The Nets really had no offensive threats in the first half, as exactly zero players were in double figures for Brooklyn.

That quickly changed in the third…

The Nets cut the deficit  to five early in the quarter, but Memphis answered with a 9-0 run –15-5 extended -- and took their largest lead of the night at 15. But then, behind the lead of Brook Lopez, the Nets answered with a 14-5 run of their own and scored 30 points in the quarter. They cut the 15-point deficit down to seven entering the fourth quarter.

Lopez scored 13 of his 17 points in the third.

And yet, as you may have guessed, the Nets let up in the fourth quarter. Memphis extended their 7-point lead to 16 midway through the final frame. Brook Lopez watched from the bench as the Grizzlies went on an 8-0 run and made it another game of catch up for Brooklyn.

Nets answered with 13-4 run and trimmed it down to seven, but it was a little too late. Mike Conley put the dagger home to go up 11 with 1:27 remaining.

Other than Lopez, Spencer Dinwiddie had a solid offensive night with 17 points but just one assist. Sean Kilpatrick chipped in 15 points, while Trevor Booker and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scored 13 apiece.

Marc Gasol nearly finished with a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Vince Carter nailed four 3-pointers and dropped 14 total against his old team.

IT’S BEEN REAL, VC

If this is indeed Vince Carter’s last season in the NBA, we’d like to appreciate the good times he brought to this franchise. Although it’s not celebrated often - Vince Carter owns a huge part of Nets history, something that can’t be overlooked and absolutely should not be forgotten about.

Celebrate VC. Celebrate the New Jersey Nets. Take the black and white banners down and put the red, white and blue banners back up. We’ll get the black and white up there... one day. For now, embrace the history of the Nets franchise.

For old times sake…

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Next up: Last game before the All-Star break (and trade deadline)... Wednesday vs. Milwaukee.

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