If you asked the Nets if they’d like their best post player getting a wide-open look under the hoop with a chance to tie a game in its closing seconds, you’d have to figure they’d like their chances.
Unfortunately for New Jersey, such a situation did not prove successful, as Brook Lopez missed a potential game-tying chip shot in the final minute of Denver’s 107-103 win last night. The loss was the Nets’ third straight and led to a 1-3 end to their Western Conference road trip.
Lopez led six Nets in double figures with 20 points and eight rebounds. Travis Outlaw scored 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting in 43 minutes. Devin Harris and Anthony Morrow chipped in 12 apiece, while Jordan Farmar and Derrick Favors each added 14 off the bench for the Nets (4-9).
The Nuggets (7-6) were led by Carmelo Anthony’s 28 points on 11-of-25 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and five assists. Nene put up 22 points and eight rebounds, while Ty Lawson and J.R. Smith pitched in off the bench with 15 and 11 points, respectively.
The Nets will return to action on Tuesday when they return home to Newark to take on the Atlanta Hawks.