Nets Stun Clippers in Double-Overtime, Snap Losing Streak

After losing seven straight games, the Brooklyn Nets hosted the Los Angeles Clippers as the Nets tried to put a stop to their losing streak. What ensued Tuesday night, was a thriller.

The Brooklyn Nets, looking to avoid their eighth straight loss, did not get off to an ideal start against the Clippers on Tuesday. Los Angeles — even without Blake Griffin, who was held out due to rest — got out to an early 7-0 lead, and Brooklyn missed their first six shots. With 8:30 left in the first quarter, Brooklyn finally got on the score board after a Brook Lopez three-pointer.

After a cold start, Brooklyn got back into the game quickly. Three’s from Lopez made it 14-11 Clippers as the Nets called a timeout. In stark contrast to the last time these two teams met in LA, the Nets stayed competitive in the first quarter.

With Jeremy Lin still out, Isaiah Whitehead got the start at point guard, and Kenny Atkinson went to Randy Foye midway through the first quarter instead of Yogi Ferrell. After Joe Harris beat the buzzer with a tip-in, Brooklyn was down just four, 28-24, at the end of the first quarter.

More from Nothin' But Nets

In the first quarter, DeAndre Jordan out-rebounded Brooklyn by a total of eight to seven. Not only was Brooklyn out-rebounded, but the Nets cooled off from three-point range. Brooklyn’s offensive struggles, combined with the Clippers’ potent offense, helped Los Angeles get out to a 39-29 lead three minutes into the second quarter.

The Nets, however, managed to keep it somewhat close at halftime. Los Angeles led 65-53 at half. Chris Paul led the Clippers with 13 first-half points, and Lopez led all scorers with 15 in the first half. With 12 points and 11 rebounds, DeAndre Jordan compiled a double-double in the first half.

Brooklyn has struggled in the third quarter of games this season, and it’s certainly an area where the Nets need to improve. Brooklyn made a bit of progress, as Los Angeles began the quarter 0-of-5 from the floor.

The Nets received a bit of a scare in the third quarter, when Bojan Bogdanovic was called for an offensive foul, and appeared to injure his ankle in the process. Not long after, the Clippers began to pull away, thanks to an 8-0 run. At the end of the third quarter, Los Angeles led 86-73. Luckily for the Nets, Bogdanovic would return to the game.

Brooklyn came to life in the fourth quarter. An 8-0 Nets run cut into the Clippers lead as the Nets tried to mount a comeback. A Joe Harris three-pointer cut LA’s lead to just five points with 6:23 remaining. The final half of the fourth quarter was filled with drama.

Sean Kilpatrick carried the Nets as they tried to complete the comeback. Kilpatrick tied the game at 99 with just over three minutes remaining. A Lopez three-pointer then gave the Nets a 102-99 lead, their first of the game.

The Nets and Clippers traded buckets down the stretch. Brook Lopez nailed a three-pointer to give Brooklyn a 107-104 lead in the final minute. However, with 1.8 seconds remaining, Chris Paul drilled a three-pointer to tie the game at 107. Kilpatrick narrowly missed a floater at the buzzer which would’ve won the game.

After 48 minutes, the Nets and Clippers went to overtime.

Kilpatrick, as he did in the fourth quarter, began to take over the overtime period. With one minute left in overtime, Brooklyn led 116-113, as the Nets tried to close out the Clippers. With 18 seconds left, Doc Rivers, irate with a call on the floor, drew a technical foul. Rivers then had to be restrained by his coaching staff while arguing with an official, and was subsequently ejected.

Brooklyn then missed three straight free throws, but maintained a 118-115 lead with 18 seconds left. Jamal Crawford then nailed a three to tie it with the clock winding down, and the Nets missed a buzzer beater that would’ve won the game. As such, the Nets and Clippers went to double overtime tied at 118.

Next: Chris McCullough Should Play SF

The second overtime moved at a slow pace, with only six total points scored in the first three-plus minutes. Brooklyn led 122-120 with 1:22 remaining. In the final minute, Brooklyn took a 124-122 lead. Kilpatrick then converted an and-1 to give Brooklyn a 127-122 lead. Brooklyn would go on to win by that very score. Kilpatrick scored a career-high 38 points, as the Nets snapped their seven-game losing streak.