Failing Grades: The Brooklyn Nets fall to the Miami Heat despite a Brook Lopez offensive explosion.

The Brooklyn Nets came into last night as losers of 19 out of their last 21 games and the owners of the worse record in the NBA. To start the game, the Nets played like they had something to prove, rallying behind their seven-foot center, Brook Lopez, and his career-high six threes in the first half.

After taking an 18-point lead into the fourth quarter, everything began to fall apart for the Nets. Lopez, who scored 31 points through three quarters, was unable to maintain his offensive firepower. The Heat held the Nets big man to two points in the fourth on 0-4 shooting.

Dion Waiters took over the game, scoring 14 of his 24 points in the fourth, including a dagger three with 6.8 seconds remaining in the game.

The Nets continue to struggle to close out games. They have lost a league-high 16 games while leading after the first two quarters. After the game, Head Coach Kenny Atkinson addressed his team’s sloppy fourth quarter play, “We couldn’t get stops … You can’t give up thirty-eight points in the fourth quarter, that’s way too many”.

In the fourth, the Nets abandoned their game plan. They started to force the ball to Lopez in difficult positions, therefore, making it easier defensively for the Heat. The Nets desperately need one of their young players to mature and become a complimentary piece to Lopez in the offense.

Things don’t get easier for the Nets who face the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Friday night.

Report Card

Brook Lopez: B+

Brook Lopez started the game on fire, scoring at will through three quarters. Lopez started the game shooting 6-7 and scoring 16 of the Nets first 17 points. Lopez did his best Steph Curry impersonation, knocking down a career-high six three-pointers in the first half. He seemed to score from everywhere on the court. Torching Hassan Whiteside in the paint and spreading the floor shooting 7-14 from three-point land. However, all his personal accolades couldn’t result in the win.

Trevor Booker: C-

Starting at Power-Forward, Booker did not attempt a shot in the first half and only four shots overall. The Nets need more from the 6-foot-8 forward, who signed a two-year, $18 million contract in the offseason.

Bojan Bogdanovic: B

Brooklyn got strong offensive production from their second-year shooting guard. Bogdanovic scored 17 points and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line. However, Bogdanovic could not be found at the end of the game. He needs to be more aggressive to close out games, attempting only two shots in the fourth quarter.

Randy Foye: F

Foye failed to make an impact on the game, managing to score only two points in twenty-eight minutes of action. As a veteran leader on the floor, Foye cannot settle for such minimal impact in games.

Spencer Dinwiddie: C

As a part of the carousel of point guards in the Brooklyn Nets backcourt, Dinwiddie had a solid game providing the Nets with ten points, five rebounds and four assists. The former D-League standout is working hard to find a home in the NBA.

Brooklyn’s Bench

Caris LeVert: B

Every time LeVert touches the court, it seems as though he takes his game to another level. Scoring 12 points off the bench, LeVert provided a much-needed boost to the Brooklyn offense. LeVert put an exclamation point on his performance in the third quarter, when he hit Wayne Ellington with a devastating crossover that sent him sliding to the floor. LeVert stepped back and drained the three-point shot.

Isaiah Whitehead: D+

Isaiah Whitehead was aggressive on the offensive end, but couldn’t get it going. He took every opportunity to get to the basket but failed to score a single field goal.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: C+

The Nets are still waiting for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to emerge as a scoring threat. Tonight, he picked his spots and contributed eight points and five rebounds. Recently made available on the trading block, Hollis-Jefferson has all the necessary physical attributes of an NBA player.

Sean Kilpatrick: C+

Kilpatrick played only 15 minutes and scored eight points in the losing effort. His play was highlighted by knocking down a corner three to end the half.

Quincy Acy: B

Coming in for his first minutes of action in the third quarter, Acy made the most of his chance, providing the Nets with instant offense. As soon as he touched the ball, Acy knocked down a straightaway three. Playing on his second 10-day contract, expect Acy to be around for the remainder of the season.

Justin Hamilton: F

With five fouls in his first 8:48 of play Hamilton was essentially a nonfactor in tonight’s game.