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.
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.
Brook with 9 points in 6 minutes ? pic.twitter.com/Az1htUmlpS
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 18, 2016
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.
Halftime: #Nets up 57-54 pic.twitter.com/rerHzdDCFQ
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2016
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.
Lin just hit a three and it's 108-107 Sixers with 2.5 seconds to play… pic.twitter.com/uKHNYjd53f
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2016
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.
No buzzer beater tonight. #Nets fall in a close one 108-107 to the Sixers pic.twitter.com/LZST3sEvx5
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2016
GET IT @JLin7!! #Nets pic.twitter.com/IjE3nKiKfm
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2016
When @IsaiahW_15 and @CarisLeVert team up ? pic.twitter.com/iA0Rl0AYol
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2016
Brook Lopez's 4 assists in the 1Q are his most in an opening period since the 2009-10 season.
Passes like these ? #Nets pic.twitter.com/sJ1sk8vYLd
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 18, 2016
First game in Philly for Chester, PA legend @RondaeHJ24! pic.twitter.com/ufhsmrENmt
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 18, 2016