Shorthanded Nets struggles deepen in loss to Pacers as second-half rally isnt enough
A month ago, the Nets built a huge lead against Indiana and cruised to victory.How things change.Between trades and injuries, this was a different-looking Nets team.The end result was different as well, the Nets digging a huge hole and falling 113-99 to the Pacers before a crowd of 16,088 at Barclays Center.The Nets (13-23) have dropped five of their past six and 10 of 13.
They have the seventh-worst record in the NBA, a half-game better than the Trail Blazers.Point guard Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 23 points and eight assists.“Very, very good offensive team, starting with the head of snake in Haliburton, controls the game, a lot of touches, a lot of passes, plays pick-and-roll, distributes the ball,” coach Jordi Fernandez said.“He creates 3s out of pick-and-roll.
But also they’re good in the paint with their drives.So, it’s going to present a challenge.
But you know, we believe that if we take care of the things we’re prepared for, we’ll be there to fight the game, and we’ll have a chance to win the game.”The shorthanded Nets, who trailed by as much as 24 before staging a rally that came up short, never had a chance to win this game.They were without eight injured players, including point guards D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons, and scorers Cam Thomas and Cam Johnson.
They had a staggering $103 million in salary sitting out injured, the most in the league per HoopsHype.And it looked like it.Just a month ago, the Nets had built a 21-point lead on the Pacers and cruised to a 99-90 victory.
But the Pacers have gone 10-4 since then.The tanking Nets — in sell-off mode — have gone in the opposite direction.Bereft of passing and playmaking, the Nets’ offense looked as disjointed as expected.
They shot just 41.8 percent from the field and 30.3 percent (10 of 33) from 3-point range.It was ugly but hardly unexpected.When bull-in-a-china-shop center Day’Ron Sharpe is their best playmaker with a career-high five assists, offense wil...