Brooklyn Nets lose heartbreaker to Philadelphia (highlights)
Dec 18, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell (1) drives toward the net as Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) defends during the second quarter of the game at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

In what was a winnable game for the Brooklyn Nets, some questionable decisions down the stretch led to squandered opportunities. 

  • Brooklyn Nets (7-19): 107
  • Philadelphia 76ers (7-20): 108
  • Final, NBA, Box Score
  • Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

This contest against the 76ers gave the Nets a chance to steal a victory before facing the Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Charlotte Hornets.

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Brooklyn got off to a solid start and finished the first quarter with a 32-30 edge over the Sixers. As usual, Brook Lopez was the driving force, and he carried the Nets with his 19 points to a 57-54 lead at halftime. Over the course of the first 24 minutes, neither team could gain any momentum and inconsistency on offense was the norm on both ends.

The third quarter was much of the same, and the only consistency was the inconsistency. One thing that hampered the Nets’ chances at winning was not feeding Lopez who was still hot — presumably — from the first half.

As the opening blurb suggests, a questionable lineup decision came at the start of the fourth quarter. Kenny Atkinson went with Caris LeVert, Isaiah Whitehead, Bojan Bogdanovic, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Luis Scola to start the quarter, and Philly went on a 9-0 run.

That effectively sealed the deal for the Nets, who fell just short by the final buzzer.

Joel Embiid was the game’s leading scorer with a career-high 33. Lopez had 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Nets, and Joe Harris tied his season-high with 19 points.

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Zach Cronin
http://thebasketballnetwork.com
I'm obsessed with basketball. I play (my hesi pull-up Jimbo is cash), I write and cover the Nets here at ESNY. My work has been seen on Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and FanSided. I also run my company, TBN Media. My favorite NBA player is Isaiah Thomas because I can look him in the eye.

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