The Nets have overcome a slew of accidents to key gamers to win simply sufficient video games to stay across the lottery cut-off this season, however they couldn’t overcome dreadful outdoors capturing and sloppy play general Saturday evening.
With Dorian Finney-Smith the most recent common out of the lineup, the Nets linked on simply 7 of 40 from 3-point vary, however coach Jordi Fernandez was extra upset over 19 turnovers in a sloppy 105-94 loss to the Jazz at Barclays Middle to slide right into a tie with Detroit for the No. 10 play-in place within the Japanese Convention.
“It’s about controlling the controllables. You can control how you take care of the ball. Obviously turnovers are part of the game, but we gotta be better,” Fernandez stated. “And while you get punched, can we come collectively and reply? Up and down, I don’t assume we did throughout. I’m anticipating our guys to be higher.
“We cannot control if we go 7-for-40. I think the shots were good shots. I wish we could shoot better, but I’m not mad at the guys because we got good shots. But we just gotta be better.”
Ben Simmons a minimum of encouragingly registered his third straight sport scoring in double figures with a season-high 15 factors, together with 10 assists and 6 rebounds, for the Nets, who will play at Miami on Monday.
However he and Cam Johnson additionally omitted six turnovers apiece within the loss.
“I think it was just turnovers. Obviously, that’s going to affect getting back [on defense], and too many easy transition buckets,” Simmons stated. “I think we got a lot of great looks from 3, and 7-for-40, it’s right there. If a lot of those shots go, it’s a different conversation.”
Noah Clowney began instead of Finney-Smith and completed with 10 factors and 6 boards, whereas Johnson added 18 for the Nets (11-17).
Lauri Markkanen netted 21 factors whereas Svi Mykhailiuk and Collin Sexton scored 18 apiece because the Jazz (7-20) received consecutive video games for the primary time this season.
Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks already dealt away guard Dennis Schroder final week, and gamers reminiscent of Johnson and Finney-Smith additionally may very well be moved earlier than the Feb. 6 commerce deadline to release much more enjoying time for youthful gamers.
Schroder’s departure additionally has moved Simmons again into the function of the group’s major level guard, doubtlessly opening up additional minutes up entrance.
The three-time All-Star netted six early factors whereas Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin mixed for a dozen off the bench within the first quarter because the Nets grabbed a 24-19 edge by way of one.
The Jazz used a 9-0 spurt that includes 3-pointers by Sexton and Johnny Juzang to seize a 42-39 lead late within the second quarter.
The Nets completed the half 3-for-16 from deep, together with 5 misses by Keon Johnson, they usually headed into intermission trailing by 5.
Clowney skied for 2 offensive rebound and two dunked early within the third for his first factors of the sport, however the Jazz prolonged its result in 10 for the primary time with 3:41 remaining.
Jordan Clarkson (16 factors) added a reverse dunk and a layup within the closing seconds for a 12-point bulge at 75-63 coming into the ultimate quarter.
Clarkson additionally nailed a trey within the opening minute of the fourth because the Jazz started to drag away with a 20-point benefit.
“There are simple things you have to do, and we didn’t do them, and we paid for it,” Fernandez stated. “We’re not gonna get this game back, so we can be mad, mad at ourselves, and obviously move on.”
