• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Wednesday night, the Brooklyn Nets (19-40) looked to snap a six game losing streak. Their opponent would be the Indiana Pacers (33-25), who were looking to extend their two game winning streak. During the Nets’ losing streak, Brooklyn had really struggled defensively. If the Nets had any chance of beating the Indiana Pacers, they would need to do so on the defensive end.

To start, this game had a slow pace to it. Both teams were playing physical, and that tone was established by Quincy Acy (8 pts) and Myles Turner (11 pts, 14 rebs). Both started the game with hard fouls, and things got chippy anytime someone took it strong to the basket.

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Crabbe has been red hot in the month of Feburary.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Crabbe has been red hot in the month of Feburary.

Allen Crabbe (24 pts) had another hot start, scoring 10 of Brooklyn’s first 15 points of the game. Crabbe known for being a streaky shooter, has been on fire these past couple games. In the month of February, Crabbe is averaging 18.0 PPG. When Crabbe is stretching the floor and knocking down his jumper, it makes the Brooklyn scoring attack that much more lethal.

To start the second quarter, both teams taking turns trading baskets. Brooklyn did a much better job of taking the ball to the basket, and not settling for jumpers. Al Jefferson (13 pts) led the second quarter Pacer scoring attack, by taking Jarrett Allen (10 pts) to school on the block. Jefferson had a ball fake for a layup that sent the Barclays Center into a frenzy. This was valuable experience for Allen as a defender, being that Jefferson is so talented offensively as a traditional post player.

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Jefferson was all smiles Wednesday night.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Jefferson was all smiles Wednesday night.

D’Angelo Russell (18 pts, 9 ast) had a productive first half. Russell had 10 points and three assists, and did a good job keeping up the ball movement and knocking down shots. This first half was tightly contested, and neither team was able to create any distance. Both teams would enter halftime tied at 54-54.

Both teams hadn’t particularly shot the ball too well (under 43%), and you just got that feeling that one team would turn it on in the second half. Indiana started to turn up their defensive pressure, and forced Brooklyn to play sloppy in the third quarter. The Pacers built their largest margin of the game of eight points, with 4:07 left in the third after an emphatic Thaddeus Young (13 pts, 7 rebs) dunk.

(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Young was locked in for his return back to Brooklyn.
(Photo Credit: Barry Holmes) Young was locked in for his return back to Brooklyn.

However, the Nets showed grit and stormed right back to tie the game and eventually take the lead. It looked like the wheels were coming off, but this young Brooklyn team buckled down and continued fighting. Towards the end of the third quarter, the Nets got hot from beyond the arc. The Nets used that late push to take a 79-73 advantage into the 4th quarter.

The action picked up in the fourth quarter as Indiana tried to keep up with Brooklyn. The Indiana defensive pressure eventually wore out this young Brooklyn team. The Pacers were able to get key buckets from Oladipo late, to seal a 108-103 victory. Brooklyn looked like they ran out of steam, as they were outscored 35-24 in the fourth quarter. The Nets just weren’t able to sustain the success they had shooting late in the game.

Ultimately, Brooklyn is a team lacking “Star Power”. Most great NBA teams have one or two superstars, which bail out offensively struggling teams. The Nets play good team basketball, and put themselves in good shot opportunities. However, someone needs to step up as a clutch knock down scorer.

Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732

(Featured Photo Credit: Barry Holmes/PureSportsNY)

By Barry Holmes

Graduate of Millersville University, with a BS in Communications focused in Broadcast. Senior Writer & Social Media Manager for PureSportsNY.

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