Nets unravel in third quarter before tempers flare late during loss to Grizzlies

MEMPHIS — For two minutes, the Nets lost their poise.And lost the game.The Nets came unglued in a third-quarter blitz, and it cost them in a 135-119 loss to the Grizzlies before 15,983 at FedEx Forum.It was testy, with Dennis Schroder and Ja Morant picking up late technicals, and Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins refusing to shake the former’s hand after the game.

It precipitated another dustup when the pair had to be separated.Morant poured in a game-high 28 points and relished in taunting the Nets, from motioning to the bench before taking off for a dunk to strutting upcourt at the close of the first half and right in front of Jordi Fernandez’s face.But it was a two-minute implosion in the third that turned a two-point deficit into a blowout, Brooklyn coughing up a 13-0 run that included two technical fouls, a delay of game and Nic Claxton failing to get back on defense to allow a backbreaking 3-pointer.It added up to their first loss against the Grizzlies this season.Brooklyn (10-15) had won both of their scheduled contests and seemed primed for a sweep, but had a third Memphis date added to the slate after failing to advance in the NBA Cup.

It’s the first time they’ve played three games against a West foe since 1978-79.The Nets — who were sitting a surprising eighth in the Eastern Conference — fell to tenth, just ½ game ahead of 11th-place Detroit and being in the lottery.There are a number of tank-happy fans that will be pleased by that....