#Nets Updates – Backcourt Didn't Get It Done

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Updated: December 16, 2012

The Nets loss last night to the Bulls was a “give-away” game that will come back to haunt them later in the season when the playoff seedings come around.  The last nine possessions were abysmal to watch.

Mike Mazzeo – ESPN NY tells the story PERFECTLY

Nets coach Avery Johnson had said center Brook Lopez was going to be on a 22- to 26-minute restriction Saturday night.

So it came as no surprise when Johnson pulled Lopez off the floor with 5:37 left in the fourth quarter and the Nets leading the Chicago Bulls, 77-71.

Lopez had played about half the game while posting 18 points and 10 rebounds — nine points and six rebounds more than he posted during the same amount of action in his return to the lineup Friday night after missing seven games because of a sprained right foot.

At that point, Lopez’s night should’ve been over. The game should’ve been over, too.

Neither was. And, as a result, an encouraging performance by Lopez was overshadowed by what transpired in next 4 minutes, 25 seconds.

At that point, Lopez’s night should’ve been over. The game should’ve been over, too.

Neither was. And, as a result, an encouraging performance by Lopez was overshadowed by what transpired in next 4 minutes, 25 seconds.

Let’s take a look at the Nets’ possessions over that span:

5:01: Turnover, Joe Johnson
4:13: Missed shot, Andray Blatche
3:32: Missed 3-point shot, Johnson
2:47: Missed shot, Deron Williams
2:00: Williams makes two of thee free throws
1:30: Turnover, Blatche

In those six possessions, the Nets went 0-for-3 from the field and committed two turnovers while being outscored 6-2.

That prompted Avery Johnson to re-insert Lopez at the 1:25 mark with his team ahead by just two.

The rest of the Nets’ possessions went like this:

1:05: Turnover, Johnson
0:39: Missed shot, Lopez
0:06: Missed shot, Williams
0:00: 3-pointer, Williams

Prior to D-Will’s buzzer-beater, the Nets had nine possessions, went 0-for-5 from the field and committed three turnovers while being outscored 12-2. They lost, 83-82.

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