:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65821113/Nets_huddle_jpg.0.jpg)
The Long Island Nets extend their losing streak to eight games Tuesday, falling to the Wisconsin Herd, 125-116 in Uniondale. With the loss, the Nets are now on to their worst losing streak in franchise history. They’re also the only team in the G League who haven’t won at home.
Sean Marks was in attendance for the game, although it’s not certain why ... whether he was there to scout a Herd player, check on the progress of his two-ways or Rodions Kurucs or simply as a fan.
Despite dropping the game —and again blowing a lead, the Nets had six players in double-figures, led by Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, the Nets two-way. The 6’7” wing had another impressive outing with 32 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in 41 minutes of play. Luwawu-Cabarrot shot 13-of-30 from the field but only 1-of-11 from three.
Henry Ellenson, the Nets other two-way, once again played the center position for Long Island. He finished with a double-double of 25 points and 17 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. Ellenson shot 9-of-19 from the field and 4-of-9 from three in the loss.
Jaylen Hands, the Nets second round pick, recorded another solid outing, scoring 12 points to go along with five assists in 23 minutes of play. Hands, who came off the bench, shot 5-of-12 from the field and 2-of-6 from three.
CJ Massinburg, the former University of Buffalo guard, started for the Nets, finished with a double-double: 14 points and 11 rebounds. The 6’5” Massinburg has seen a big increase in minutes as of late
On the other side of the ledger, Kurucs had a tough outing for Long Island, finishing with only three points, five rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes. The Nets assignee shot 1-of-9 from the field and 1-of-7 from three.
For the Herd, the win extends its winning streak to nine games, which is currently the longest winning streak in the NBA G League. Wisconsin is now 9-1 on the season.
Jaylen Adams hit the dagger three for Wisconsin with 41.5 seconds remaining, finishing with a near triple-double of 27 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes of play.
Rayjon Tucker had 25 points, five rebounds, and one assist in 36 minutes of play. Frank Mason, the former Jayhawk and former 2016-17 Naismith Player of the Year winner, recorded 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the win. Mason played a total of 31 minutes of play.
Shaun Fein started Massinburg, Cannady, Kurucs, Luwawu-Cabarrot, and Ellenson.
Long Island began the game a bit sloppy on the offensive end. With 7:47 left in the first, Fein called an early timeout with his team down 13-10. Despite the poor start, the Nets quickly turned it around. Long Island did a good job being patient on the offensive end, moving the ball around the perimeter and finding cutters or shooters outside the arc. Long Island ended the first quarter on a 7-3 scoring run. The second
At the end of one, Long Island led 35-32.
Luwawu-Cabarrot led Long Island in scoring after one with 10 points followed by Williams with nine points. As a team, the Nets shot 12-of-25 from the field (48 percent) and 4-of-11 from three (36 percent). Long Island recorded four turnovers in the first. The difference maker in the first for the Nets was the play of the second unit, led by Egbunu and Hands.
The Herd started the second quarter doing what they do best, which is shooting threes. In the first half of the second quarter, the Herd shot nine three’s, connecting on only three of them. Long Island focused their early second quarter play, working on the inside. The Nets struggled to score from the seven minute mark till the four minute mark. Despite the struggle to score midway through the second, the Nets ended the first half on a 6-2 run.
At the end of the first half, the Nets trailed 62-60.
Luwawu-Cabarrot led the Nets in scoring with 17 points to go along with his two rebounds and one assist in 18 minutes of play. The Nets two-way shot 7-of-13 from the field but went 0-of-3 from behind the arc. Ellenson had a strong first half, nearing a double-double with seven points and 10 rebounds in 13 minutes. Williams kept up his offensive play finishing the first half with 17 points and one assist in 12 minutes of play.
As a team, the Nets shot 21-of-52 from the field (40 percent) and 5-of-22 from three (23 percent). In addition to their shooting, the Nets shot 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the first half. Long Island tacked on four turnovers in the second quarter, ending the half with eight total turnovers.
The starting five opened the second half for the Nets. Both teams traded small scoring runs to begin the third. With 7:27 the Herd called a timeout, leading 75-74, following a Devin Cannady three. The Nets did a good job moving the ball around the perimeter and not rushing their shots. Luwawu-Cabarrot moved the ball well and continued to score consistently from the field. Long Island went on a 10-3 run to conclude the third.
At the end of three, the Nets trailed 93-91.
Luwawu-Cabarrot finished the third quarter with 25 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 30 minutes of play. The Nets two-way shot 11-of-22 from the field heading into the fourth. Ellenson ended the third with a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds followed by Williams with 13 points in 17 minutes of play.
As a team, the Nets entered the fourth shooting 34-of-81 from the field (42 percent) and a rough 8-of-34 from three (24 percent). Long Island recorded only one turnover in the third.
The Nets, for the fifth straight game, battled down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter in hopes of snapping their seven game losing streak. Cannady and the Nets did a good job of crashing the offensive boards, allowing extra possessions. With 1:51 remaining, Fein called a timeout with his team down 118-111, following a Mason mid-range jumper. With 41.5 seconds left in the fourth, Adams hit a dagger from behind the arc, requiring Fein to call his final timeout with his team down eight points. With the loss, the Nets extend their losing streak to a franchise worst eight games.
The Nets hit the road to take on the Raptors 905 a week from Thursday in hopes of snapping their eight game losing streak.