Clippers hand Nets sixth straight loss, 114-101

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Nets need the All-Star Break in the worst way possible. They could also use an All-Star, too, but that’s a different story.

They lost their sixth straight game in another disappointing loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, 114-101, Monday night at Barclays Center. They went down 12 after the first and made a small run late in the fourth, but never got it within nine.

Not only is it their sixth straight loss, it’s the 10^th loss in the last 11 games and 16th in the last 20. Furthermore, it’s the seventh time they’ve lost by double digits in the last 11.

Sigh.

And for the 10^th time in the last 11 games, the Nets dug themselves in a double-digit hole early. They went down by 17 in the second quarter and trailed by 15 at half. Offense wasn’t an issue. The defense was, especially after giving up 34 points in the first quarter permitting the Clips to exceed 70 percent shooting.

But as we’ve learned you can never count these guys out.

The Nets went down by as much as 23 in the second half. They made their run early in the fourth following a 14-4 run that brought them within 13. D’Angelo Russell anchored them on the run with 12 points in the first four minutes of the quarter ... just as he did vs. the Pelicans.

They extended the run to 27-14 and brought it within single digits with four minutes left, but they couldn’t get stops when they needed them ... the theme of their entire night.

The Clippers feasted inside the paint and in the mid-range where they shot 42-of-69 (61%) from the field. Lou Williams put the jets on and scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. No 3-pointers. DeAndre Jordan scored 16 points and grabbed 17 rebounds.

The Nets continue to try and beat teams behind the 3-point line. They hit 12-of-40 on the night and turned the ball over 13 times. Joe Harris (7-of-11) and Russell (7-of-17) led the team with 16 points apiece. Allen Crabbe had 15 to extend his three-game total to 77 points.

DILLY DILLY, DINWIDDIE

Over the past four months, Spencer Dinwiddie has become one of the most popular players in Brooklyn, and one of the best underdog stories of the season. Over the past week, he’s gotten some love off the court. First, we reported that Dinwiddie would be on the Rachael Ray show. Then just a few days later, Dinwiddie was on MTV’s Wild’N Out.

Enjoy it, Spence.

LIKE THE DOW, NETS STOCK DECLINING

Back on January 8, the Nets had won 3 of 4 and stood just five games out of the eighth seed. D’Angelo Russell practice with the Long Island Nets and optimism certainly lingered in Brooklyn.

Since then, the Nets are 3-17 in the last 20 games and have lost 10 of the last 11. Seven have been by double digits. It isn’t quite the 1-25 stretch they suffered last season, but it feels awfully similar. This is a team that was supposed to be getting better throughout the season, not worse.

The Cavaliers’ pick is looking awfully nice.

DOC ON KENNY

“I just love him as a coach. I think he does a great job. His team executes, they play hard, they play together. I don’t think people appreciate how hard that is when your team is not winning to get guys to play together...

”Most of the guys start looking at contracts, they get selfish and it’s all about numbers. Somehow Kenny has figured it out. They still play together and that’s pretty impressive.”

SPINNING THE RIM

The high point of the game came in the third quarter when Jarrett Allen stepped to the line and attempted a foul shot. He made it, but he had to apply just a bit of body English.

PRIGIONI STICKING AROUND

Before the game, Pablo Prigioni, the former Knick and Rocket point guard, was seen sitting on the Nets bench with assistant coach Chris Fleming. As the Post’s Marc Berman reported, he’s been around all week, learning all aspects of the the Nets basketball operations. He was the Pelicans game over the weekend and at Nets practice last week.

No word on whether the Nets and Prigioni will hook up, but the team is certainly not hiding him.

For a different perspective, head on over to ClipsNation.

• Game Report: Los Angeles Clippers 114, Brooklyn Nets 101 - NBA.com
• Highlights: Los Angeles Clippers 114, Brooklyn Nets 101 (Video) - NBA.com
• Highlights: Russell (12 points) in fourth quarter (Video) - NBA.com
• Harris with the English (Video) - NBA.com
• Carroll with the dunk (Video) - NBA.com
• Russell is feeling it (Video) - NBA.com
• Nets Post-Game Plus: BKN vs. LAC (Video) - YES Network
• Atkinson on Nets’ 114-101 loss (Video) - YES Network
• Atkinson on Clippers’ talent (Video) - YES Network
• Harris looks ahead to Indiana (Video) - YES Network
• Clippers put 7 in double figures, beat Nets 114-101 - Brian Mahoney - AP
• Kenny Atkinson’s plea for better start fails to get through to Nets - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets will have to learn to defend without these two injured stars - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Nets sending mixed message with Jahlil Okafor’s playing time - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• Same old Nets can’t overcome early hole in loss to Clippers - Greg Logan - Newsday
• Tobias Harris making adjustment to yet another trade - Kenny DeJohn - Newsday
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s absence helped cause Nets’ spiral - Greg Logan - Newsday
• Five observations from the Nets’ 114-101 loss to the Clippers - Michael Scotto - The Athletic New York
• Nets fall flat against Clippers for sixth straight loss (Game Grades) - Elizabeth Swinton - The Brooklyn Game
• LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS 114-101 BROOKLYN NETS: THREE TAKEAWAYS - Alex Labidou - Brooklyn Nets
• Clippers build early lead and cruise to 114-101 victory over Nets - Broderick Turner - Los Angeles Times
• Avery Bradley is trying to get going with Clippers - Broderick Turner - Los Angeles Times