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Nets shellacked by Bucks on Super Bowl Sunday, 109-94

By Tom Lorenzo

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NBA: Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports

Well, at least the Nets made it somewhat interesting in the second half.

An early start, 12:00-noon to be exact, on Super Bowl Sunday as Brooklyn welcomed the Jason Kidd-less Milwaukee Bucks to the Barclays Center for, yes, “kids day.” It was the Nets sixth loss in seven games and the Bucks sixth win in seven games ... since Jason Kidd was fired.

Brooklyn must not have read our game preview because it looked as if they weren’t aware of today’s early start, letting the Bucks coast to a 21-point halftime lead, 62-41. Or, as it’s known in some circles: three touchdowns plus three extra points.

The Nets finally decided to show up in the second half, making a wholehearted attempt at erasing said deficit in the final 24 minutes of the game. Or, as it’s known in some circles: the 24-minute drill. Nope, no one calls it that.

Brooklyn shot 36.2 percent from the floor in the first half, with Dinwiddie and D’Angelo Russell combining to go 1-of-8 from the floor. Meanwhile, the Bucks, led by Eric Bledsoe and Giannis Antetokounmpo, combined to shoot 54.8 percent from the floor in the first half; they out-rebounded the Nets 31-18.

The Nets woke up a little after halftime, showing some fight in the third, posting a 23-6 run and closing the lead to points late in the quarter. With help from Quincy Acy (7 points in the third) and their bench (combined for 13 points on 50 percent shooting), the Nets crawled their way back to within 11 points at the end of the third.

In the fourth, however, a touch of “bad luck” did the Nets in. Russell fouled out early in the fourth on a questionable “tripping” call. And while Russell wasn’t playing at his best, the moment seemed to have halted much of Brooklyn’s momentum

At the 8:48 mark in the fourth, the Nets got close, paring the Bucks lead down to seven on a long three by Spencer Dinwiddie, but that was it. Milwaukee scored eight straight as Eric Bledsoe took over on the offensive end and put the Nets away midway through the fourth.

Bledsoe finished with 28 points on 12-of-20 shooting.

Final score: Bucks 109, Nets 94

Nets shot 40 percent from the floor, and just 9-of-28 from three. The Bucks out-rebounded the Nets 54-35, with John Henson pulling down 18 boards (7 on the offensive end).

That’s six losses in their last seven games for the Brooklyn Nets.

“You have to be ready from the get-go and I’m very disappointed in that,” said Atkinson about the Nets first quarter woes.

RUSSELL REHAB REPORT

Russell played 18 minutes, scoring only three points on 1-of-8 and his disqualification was only the second in his career. He did hand out seven assists, mostly in the team’s comeback effort.

JARRETT ALLEN DEVELOPMENT WATCH

Jarrett Allen had another good game, scoring 14 points and grabbing seven boards. It was his seventh straight double-figure scoring game,

INJURY NOTES

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did not play, again, in this one. This was the fifth straight game he’s missed due to a groin injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game early in the fourth after rolling his ankle, following Matthew Dellavedova who had gone to the locker earlier.

SUPER BOWL LOYALTIES

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who grew up in suburban Philadelphia was wearing an Eagles T-shirt on the bench. Sitting next to him: Jeremy Lin, who went to college in Harvard, had a Patriots T.

Their coach said he was rooting for Philly, but if he was a betting man, he’s have his money on New England.

****

All in all, a big disappointment. Post game, Atkinson (again) lamented the slow start and said his team was simply not ready, mentally or physically.

Next up for the Nets is Tuesday night, at home, against the Houston Rockets. Then, the trade deadline is Thursday, 3 p.m.

For a different perspective, head on over to Brew Hoop

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