Inside The Nets

Takeaways from the Nets' last-second loss to the Trail Blazers

The Nets lose another tough game against the Trail Blazers.

Peter Sunjic

© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
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The Brooklyn Nets went into their game against the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-game losing streak. That skid started with a loss to the Blazers when they visited Brooklyn. Heading into this matchup, the Nets wanted payback from the defeat ten days ago.

That did not happen because Portland kept in step with Brooklyn and pulled away in the last few seconds when Anfernee Simons hit a clutch floater in the lane to win the game 103-105 for the Blazers. From this loss, there were some important takeaways.

The Nets struggled with rebounding without Sharpe

This was the Nets’ third consecutive game of not having Day’Ron Sharpe in the lineup. His absence was evident because the Trail Blazers outrebounded Brooklyn 41 to 33. Sharpe is not just a reliable backup big, but he’s also arguably the best rebounder on the team.

Day’Ron’s injury hurt the Nets when Nic Claxton was on the bench because Portland feasted on offensive rebounds. The Blazers had a ten-to-six advantage in the offensive rebounds, creating more opportunities to score for Chauncey Billups’ squad.

The Nets need to take care of leads

Brooklyn ended the third quarter with an 83-74 scoreline, the Nets’ largest lead of the game. That lead quickly evaporated because the bench unit struggled to score in the final period. Cameron Thomas is a notable backup for Brooklyn, but he struggled again, only scoring eight points on two-of-seven shooting from the field.

Dennis Smith Jr. tried to take charge of the playmaking but couldn’t build up a good rhythm. His lack of three-point shooting became an advantage for Portland because the players mostly left DSJ alone on the perimeter.

The rest of the season will be tough

This loss marked the Nets’ 24th defeat of the season. It is a discouraging result, which does not have a sign of stopping anytime soon. Portland is one of the NBA’s worst-performing teams this season, but still beat Brooklyn in the season series.

Brooklyn might need to make a major change before the trade deadline because the organization does not own their 2024 and 2025 draft picks. The team already has a promising core of Mikal Bridges, Cameron Thomas, and Nic Claxton; the front office just has to deliver and provide them with ample support.

The Brooklyn Nets lose to the Blazers on a last-second game-winner

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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