The Nets’ roster decimation is principally behind them now, and solely injured long-distance shooter Joe Harris and part-time worker Kyrie Irving have been unavailable Saturday evening.
Their opponent within the first sport of 2022 nonetheless was lacking most of its star energy for quite a lot of causes, but the first-place Nets wasted one other 30-point triple-double from James Harden and suffered a stunning fourth-quarter collapse in a 120-116 loss to the undermanned Clippers at Barclays Heart.
Nets coach Steve Nash thought his first-place crew “by no means actually had the care issue or turned it up” in opposition to a depleted opponent, particularly in permitting an “unacceptable” 71 factors within the second half, and a steamed Kevin Durant used profane language to name out your entire crew for taking the Clippers too evenly.
“Like Coach stated, we didn’t need to win this sport. We got here in right here with a f–ked up angle to start out, pondering we have been simply gonna stroll right into a W,” Durant stated. “Hopefully, a loss like this sit in your mind till tomorrow. … In the event you ain’t feeling like s–t after this sport, you gotta look your self within the mirror.”
Harden recorded his third 30-point triple-double in 4 video games since his return from the NBA’s well being and security protocols. The nine-time All-Star completed with 34 factors, 12 rebounds and 13 assists in 40 minutes to proceed his finest string of performances of the season.
“It’s a tricky one. It’s irritating,” Harden stated. We simply didn’t do the issues to safe the win or do what we’re presupposed to do.
“I don’t assume we did that from the start of the sport, and we give a crew confidence and allow them to hold within the sport for 4 quarters, and stuff like this occurs.”
Harden had solely eight factors on 2-for-10 capturing because the Nets nursed a four-point lead on the half, however he pumped in 16 within the third quarter for an 87-80 lead.
The Nets led by 13 factors with 5:57 remaining earlier than Eric Bledsoe keyed a 10-0 run to attract the Clippers (19-18) inside two with just below 4 minutes to go. Amir Coffey tied it at 110 with a 3-pointer on the 2:35 mark, earlier than 4 straight factors by Justise Winslow and a nook 3 from Terance Mann shocked the house crowd and put the Nets in a 117-113 gap.
The Nets, down three within the closing seconds, nonetheless had an opportunity to tie the rating, however Durant was fouled and missed the primary of two free throws earlier than Reggie Jackson sealed the sport from the road on the different finish.
“We’re going to proceed to get our ass kicked if we don’t strategy the sport in a correct means,” Durant stated. “It’s in regards to the group and everybody popping out right here and being one of the best we will. … Tonight wasn’t a kind of nights.”
Bledsoe completed with 27 factors, whereas Jackson and Mann netted 19 apiece for the Clippers, who have been with out head coach Tyronn Lue (well being and security) and injured stars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris, amongst others. James Ennis, who signed with the Clippers after his 10-day hardship contract with the Nets expired final week, added 10 factors.
“It’s pure when a crew is lacking so many gamers, they’ve been going by way of a lot over there, and we relaxed,” Durant stated. “You wouldn’t assume you might lose an NBA sport like this. Lacking what number of guys, enjoying guys up from the G-League. … All of them made an influence, I felt, and we got here in too chill.”
Durant completed with 28 factors and Patty Mills scored 17, with 5 made 3-pointers, earlier than fouling out late because the Nets misplaced their second straight sport.
“Clearly, I inform them that that may’t be us and that may’t be the extent that we're gonna settle for and that we have now to determine what’s acceptable for us and what’s not,” Nash stated. “We’ve executed it this 12 months shorthanded as properly. There’s alternatives for guys and in addition, I believe while you’re not presupposed to win, you let a crew get confidence and get a rhythm and now the basket will get huge as a result of they know the reward is nice.“They get an opportunity to get a giant scalp, so there may be some psychology concerned, however that shouldn’t matter. We have been in place to win that sport and reduce too many corners when it counted.”
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