Brooklyn Nets Fall to Hornets in Close Game

The Brooklyn Nets drop to 2-4 while the Charlotte Hornets improve to 4-1 in a closely contested 99-95 loss tonight.

In the wake of Jeremy Lin going down, Isaiah Whitehead would make his first career NBA start. For the Nets Sean Kilpatrick was the high man in points for the game with 19. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a solid game with 11 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals all on 4-of-5 shooting. For the Hornets Kemba Walker led the way with 30 points on 11-of-22 shooting.

In the first quarter, the Nets got off to a hot start. After going on a 8-0 run in the first, the Nets lead 21-8 with 5:12 left in the first. The Hornets would answer back with 16-2 run of their own to close out the quarter. Seven turnovers would hurt the Nets, leaving the game tied 23 all at the end of one quarter.

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The Nets cut down on the turnovers in the second quarter, only coughing up the basketball twice. An exciting sight was Hollis-Jefferson knocking down two three’s. Brook Lopez would lead the team in points at the half, with 12 on 5-of-9 shooting. For the Hornets, Walker would lead the them in scoring going into the half with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting. With the Nets having an even better second quarter, they would head into halftime up 50-43.

The Nets would start off the third quarter continuing to build their lead. Then the Nets got cold, and the Hornets would go on a bit of a run in the middle of the third. The Hornets would take their first lead of the game with 5:52 left in the third quarter. Even though the Hornets built their lead up to seven, the Nets would not let things get too out of hand ending the quarter only down three.

In the fourth quarter, the game would be back and forth as the Nets tried to claw their way back. With under three minutes left, Trevor Booker used what was left of his energy. He was extremely active on the boards on both ends of the floor. He also used his strength to score in the post. With 2:49 left, Booker even took the defensive rebound and waived everyone out of his way. He took it down and made a big shot. In the final 32 seconds of the game, Hollis-Jefferson poked the ball away from Walker, and Booker hit the deck to come up with the loose ball. The Nets would have one last chance to pull within one possession, but they would come up empty-handed.

Next: What Does Lin's Injury Mean for Nets?

In the end, the Hornets would go on to defeat the Nets 99-95. The Nets would fall to 2-4 on the season. For the Hornets, they would improve to 4-1. The Nets have three rest days before taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on Tuesday.