Inside The Nets

The Nets fall apart in the fourth quarter in a crushing loss to the LA Clippers

Brooklyn looked destined for a second-straight win until a lousy fourth quarter.

Peter Sunjic

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Brooklyn Nets started the game with a bang, going on a 16-0 run. It was one of the most impressive starts for the Nets this season, continuing the momentum the team built against the Lakers in this game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Mikal Bridges scored 20 of his 26 points in the first half but struggled in the second, especially in the final period.

Coach Jacque Vaughn's team was already cruising to a victory in the fourth quarter with a 114-103 lead with 5:33 left. The Nets did not score the rest of the way while the Clippers went on a 22-0 run to win the game, 125-114.

“That's not gonna work, not for our group. We can try it and see if we can beat dudes one-on-one, but that's not how we built our lead,” Coach Vaughn said about the stale offense in the fourth quarter. “There's some long, strong dudes across this league, and they're not gonna let you play one-on-one.”

The fourth quarter collapse

For most of the game, the Nets had one of their most impressive performances of the season. Brooklyn was beating one of the best teams in the Western Conference, but the team suddenly collapsed and couldn’t buy a shot in the final five minutes.

At the same time, that was when the Clippers found their footing. Kawhi Leonard had a fantastic fourth quarter, scoring 14 of LA’s 41 points. Russell Westbrook was also superb, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

“That ball was pinging around. They didn’t know who to guard. Multiple actions, randomness, that piece of it gives you an advantage, whether it’s a close out, whether it’s a blown coverage,” Vaughn said about Brooklyn’s offense.

Unfortunately, the Nets abandoned that free-flowing offense in the fourth, which led to one of the worst results of the season.

A missed opportunity

The Nets had a chance to build a winning streak after beating the Lakers in their previous game. Brooklyn played a similar energetic style in this game, led by Bridges and Cameron Thomas who logged 20 points and six assists.

The Nets return to Brooklyn to play cross-town rivals, the New York Knicks. It will be another tough matchup for the Nets, but playing like the team did against the Lakers and the first three quarters against the Clippers should lead to a better result.

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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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