Benedict Mathurin and the Pacers cruised previous Ziaire Williams, the Nets, on the Barclays Heart downtown Monday night time. AP picture of Frank Franklin II
The walking-injured Nets weren’t chastised by fiery first-year coach Jordi Fernández after their newest loss Monday night time.
As an alternative, they acquired reward and encouragement.
Regardless of being behind amongst its high two scorers, in addition to an assortment of different harm absences, Brooklyn held on for many of 4 quarters earlier than struggling a 113-99 loss to the Indiana Pacers forward of 16 088 paying prospects on the Barclays Heart downtown.
“That third quarter was nice as a result of we discovered ourselves with 9 straight stops to complete and that is the way you make runs. We gained this quarter and we gave ourselves an opportunity,” Fernández underlined after his staff’s fifth defeat in six video games.
“I used to be very happy with them and the way in which we performed all through. You possibly can simply hand over,” he added.
It appeared the Nets (13-23) would not hassle hanging on after the Pacers (19-18) opened a 65-41 benefit.
Free throw from Bennedict Mathurin two minutes after the intermission.
Noah Clowney scored a 3-pointer and the Nets buckled down on protection, closing to inside 78-70 on Tosan Evbuomwan’s layup with 25 ticks left within the third quarter.
“That is what I need our staff to do, hold combating till the tip,” stated Fernández, who has seen his staff lose 13 of 17 video games since an inspiring 9-10 begin and followers of Brooklyn hoped for a return to the playoffs.
Indiana is extra involved with its personal playoff standing and proved that till the tip.
The Pacers responded to the Nets’ cost with a 17-4 burst that ended any hopes of Brooklyn’s second victory in three video games.
Obi Topping threw down a thunderous dunk and sank a 25-footer on a move from Tyler Haliburton to cap the deciding level as Indiana gained its third straight sport and climbed above .500 for the primary time because the opening night time.
Haliburton scored 23 factors and dished out eight assists and Mathurin added 20 factors for the Pacers, who avenged a 99-90 loss right here on Dec. 4.
Taking part in with out Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Cam Johnson (ankle), each of whom additionally missed Saturday’s 123-94 loss to Philadelphia, Brooklyn was determined for offensive energy and management.
The Nets additionally took the hardwood with out D’Angelo Russell (shin), guard Ben Simmons (calf/again) and veteran ahead Trendon Watford (hamstring).
That left Fernández defending his newest roster shuffle and rotation, which refused to go away in opposition to an opponent with a veteran corps that reached the Japanese Convention finals final yr.
“I really like my gamers. I’ll by no means say that different gamers are higher than my gamers,” Fernández retorted when requested if the Pacers had an excessive amount of firepower for the injury-depleted Nets.
“With the brand new teams, I’ve to do a greater job of serving to them get higher photographs. … I’m not that anxious,” he added. “Clearly, nice job by the Pacers, however I’m undoubtedly going to deal with my guys.”
“His guys” put 5 scorers in double figures, together with a team-high 16 factors off the bench from Day’Ron Sharpe.
Sharpe additionally pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, dished out 5 assists and did not commit a single turnover in 22 minutes.
“It’s a great step for him. Plus, the truth that he does this makes us higher. I’m very completely satisfied for him,” Fernández stated of his instantaneous dynamism.
Tyrese Martin scored 15 factors on 6-of-12 capturing, Clowney added 14 and Keon Johnson and Ziaire Williams completed with 12 and 10 respectively for Brooklyn, which slipped its season-worst 10 video games under .500 and misplaced 4 video games behind the 76ers for the ultimate spot within the play-in event.
Whereas he spent a lot of the beginning of this slide out of competitors demanding extra effort from his gamers, Fernández takes accountability for taking advantage of what he has left on a roster that has already misplaced Dennis Schröder and Dorian Finney. Smith on the exchanges.
“I’ve to discover a method to assist them. Simplify issues,” he insisted. “”I don’t care who performs. I am simply involved about how laborious we’re enjoying.
“Now we will clearly watch one film and transfer on to the subsequent one.”
The Nets will shut out this three-game homestand in opposition to Detroit right here Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
NOTHING BUT NET: The absence of each Cams, who’re averaging greater than 44 factors per sport this season, compelled the Nets to search for an offensive rhythm early in Monday’s sport. Brooklyn managed simply 39 factors within the first half — its lowest pre-intermission output of the yr — and completed capturing 42 % total, together with 30 % from 3-point vary. Fernández admitted he needed to discover options offensively if neither Thomas nor Johnson returned quickly. “Use no matter packages or actions we will implement to take advantage of our strengths,” he revealed. “Discover the kind of photographs we taught and those that labored for us. It does not depend upon the gamers, however on me and the coaches. …Brooklyn was sturdy on the boards in opposition to Indiana, outscoring the Pacers 51-35. The Nets additionally collected 20 offensive caroms, 5 of which fell into Sharpe’s arms. … After internet hosting the Pistons, the Nets will start a season-high six-game West Coast swing beginning Friday night time in Denver.
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