Nets a no-show in blowout loss to Pistons, 114-80

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Down 40 in the fourth, it’s safe to say this one wasn’t on the officiating.

Following two tightly contested games against the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, the Nets (15-26) came out with an absolute dud and suffered their ugliest loss of the season to the Detroit Pistons (22-19), 114-80, Wednesday night at Barclays Center. It was the worst Nets loss at Barclays Center.

And just like that, the Brooklyn Nets are on a three-game losing streak.

“You’ve just got to erase it out of your mind. It was embarrassing losing at home by 30. It sucks,” said Allen Crabbe, really the only Net who played well.

Things got ugly when Detroit started the second quarter on a 17-3 run, lifting them to a 22-point lead at half. The Nets struggled on both ends of the court, as Crabbe was the only source of offense. He hit four 3-pointers in the opening 24 minutes, while the Nets hit six total.

Drummond played a big role in protecting the rim and preventing Brooklyn from scoring any easy buckets. Moreover, he finished the first half with 18 points and 13 rebounds – 22 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots on the night.

Ugly wasn’t the word.

The Nets needed somebody other than Crabbe to step up, but it never happened. As a matter of fact, it only got worse. The Nets trailed by as many as 40 in the fourth.

They finished the night 32 percent from 3-point and 36.5 percent overall with 20 turnovers. Crabbe finished with 20 on the night and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds. Following three consecutive games with 20 or more points, Spencer Dinwiddie was completely out of sync with only two points on 1-of-5 shooting.

Detroit, meanwhile, shot 10-of-21 from 3-point and 51.6 percent overall. They dished 24 assists to 13 turnovers and outscored the Nets by 32 points inside the paint. Along with Drummond, Harris chipped in 22 POINTS.

And just like that, we’ve reached the halfway point of the season. I’m not sure if many people thought the Nets would have 15 wins at this point, especially with Jeremy Lin and D’Angelo Russell missing extended time, but they’re there battling their hearts out.

… Except for tonight.

For a different perspective head on over to Detroit Bad Boys.

• Game Report: Detroit Pistons 114, Brooklyn Nets 80 - NBA.com
• Highlights: Allen Crabbe five three pointers vs. Detroit (Video) - NBA.com
• Nets 10-0 runs vs. Pistons (Video) - NBA.com
• Nets five three-pointers in the fourth (Video) - NBA.com
• LeVert from outside (Video) - NBA.com
• Crabbe on the drive (Video) - NBA.com
• Zeller hooks it in (Video) - NBA.com
• Atkinson on Nets’ 114-80 loss (Video) - YES Network
• Atkinson on bouncing back (Video) - YES Network
• Crabbe on Wednesday’s loss (Video) - YES Network
• LeVert on tough loss to Pistons (Video) - YES Network
• Dinwiddie on lopsided rebounding (Video) - YES Network
• Drummond’s double-double leads Pistons past Nets 114-80 - Michael Scotto - AP
• Nets get destroyed in Barclays stinker - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Long Island native dominates Nets in New York return - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets have no answer for Andre Drummond in loss to Pistons - Laura Albanese - Newsday
• Pistons pulverize Nets in blowout to close homestand (Game Grades) - Elizabeth Swinton - The Brooklyn Game
• DETROIT PISTONS 114-80 BROOKLYN NETS: THREE TAKEAWAYS - Alex Labidou - Brooklyn Nets
• Detroit Pistons slash Nets, 114-80, behind duo of Drummond, Harris - Vince Ellis - Detroit Free Press
• Drummond has 22 points, 20 rebounds as Pistons rip Nets - Rod Beard - Detroit News