Brooklyn Nets Falter in Final Minutes Against Bucks, Comeback Falls Short

103. 147. Final. 112. 89

Jason Kidd is now 9-1 against his former team as the Brooklyn Nets lose to the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-103. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Nets with 24 points, the fourth time this season he scored 20 plus points and second time against the Bucks.

In the second game of a home-and-home for the Brooklyn Nets versus the Bucks, Isaiah Whitehead came into the contest with 22 assists and 10 turnovers in the last six games, which were all starts for the rookie. Anthony Bennett made his first start as a Brooklyn Net, his first start since February 20, 2015, and his fourth overall in his NBA career due to Trevor Booker not playing because of illness.

Bennett came out energetic in the first quarter and played like he was trying to steal the starting spot from Booker, cleaning up on the glass. He tallied four points and seven rebounds. The first quarter was not kind to the Nets, who went 0-of-9 from three. However, Bojan Bogdanovic had a hot start, making his first four shots and led the Nets with nine points, as the they trailed by just three points to end the first.

This is the first time the Nets did not make a three in the first quarter this season. Brook Lopez (0-of-5) and Kilpatrick (0-of-2) were scoreless in the first quarter. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson actually made the first three-pointer of the game for Brooklyn in the second.

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The Nets trailed the Bucks 50-40 at halftime. Bogdanovic led the Nets in scoring with 14 points on 60 percent shooting. Bennett grabbed nine rebounds, and Lopez was held scoreless, going 0-of-10 from the field.

Lopez’s scoring troubles continued into the second half, not making his first field goal until the final minute of the third quarter. Whitehead and Kilpatrick tried to lead the Nets’ offense, aggressively driving to the rim hoping to draw the foul. This resulted in Kilpatrick reaching a new career high in free throw attempts and free throws made (11).

The Nets outscored the Bucks 32-25 in the third, making it only the second time this season the Nets outscored their opponent in the third.

Brooklyn came out battling in the fourth. Hollis-Jefferson had a great take to the rim, which drew the and-1 in true #BrooklynGrit fashion. RHJ ended up missing the free throw, but Scola was there to complete the four-point play. The Bucks focused their defense on Kilpatrick and Lopez, which really hindered the Nets’ offense down the stretch. Lopez would finish the game with 13 points and six assists, which were mostly dimmed out to Bogie throughout the contest. Bennett also set a new career-high in rebounds (14).

Giannis Antetokounmpo tied his career high for blocks with five, as he finished with a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Next: Nets Face Bucks For Second Half of Home-and-Home

The Nets drop to 5-14 on the season. They host the Washington Wizards back at Barclays on Monday.

Nets Falter in Final Minutes Against Bucks, Valiant Comeback Falls Short

By Charles Daye | Dec 3, 2016

Jason Kidd is now 9-1 against his former team as the Brooklyn Nets lose to the Milwaukee Bucks, 112-103. Bojan Bogdanovic led the Nets with 24 points, the fourth time this season he scored 20 plus points and second time against the Bucks.

More from Nothin' But Nets