Brooklyn Nets vs. Charlotte Hornets Takeaways and Grades

Feb 7, 2017; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard forward Marco Belinelli (21) attempts to control the ball while being fouled by Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Harris (12) during the second half of the game at the Spectrum Center. The Hornets won 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets looked to snap their nine-game losing streak on Tuesday night vs. the Hornets in Charlotte.

Both the Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets struggled in the opening minutes, as Brooklyn made just two of its first nine shots. Charlotte shot just 36 percent from the field in the first five minutes of the game, but managed to grab an 11-4 lead after Kemba Walker hit a three and Frank Kaminsky converted on a floater for two.

Nicolas Batum followed with a three of his own to give Charlotte a 10 point lead as part of a 12-0 Hornets run. After leading 14-4, the Hornets were able to push their lead up to 10 once again, as Charlotte lead 24-14 in the final seconds of the first quarter. A pair of Justin Hamilton free throws brought Brooklyn within eight, as the Nets trailed 24-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Already in a hole just 12 minutes into the game, the Nets weren’t playing well in either facet. Bojan Bogdanovic was leading the Nets with 11 points midway through the second quarter, while Justin Hamilton had nine. Two of Brooklyn’s biggest problems were Brook Lopez‘s slow start, and a lack of defense.

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Lopez made just one of his first six shot attempts, for two points. As a result, Brooklyn scored just 37 points in the entire first half, which is their lowest output in the first half this season. The Nets were able to find production from Bogdanovic and Hamilton — and Joe Harris added six points — but Lopez was rather quiet in the first half, as Brooklyn trailed 54-37 at halftime.

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The Nets opened the third quarter on a 10-5 run, to cut Charlotte’s lead to 12. Brooklyn came out of the halftime break energized, in an attempt to make a comeback. Spencer Dinwiddie then hit a three bring the Nets within single digits, 59-50.

With six minutes remaining in the quarter, the Nets cut the lead to six after Lopez hit a three. But the Hornets quickly pushed the lead back up to double digits, as Brooklyn’s defense could not contain Charlotte’s offensive weapons.

The Nets closed the third quarter trailing by just nine, thanks in large part to their offense. Brooklyn scored 35 points in the third quarter alone, after scoring 37 in the entire first half. But if the Nets were going to win, they would have to step up defensively.

Brooklyn managed to cut the lead to seven with 7:30 left in the game after an Isaiah Whitehead layup made it 89-82 Charlotte. The Nets then got five quick points from Bogdanovic and Harris to get within four points, 91-87.

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With 3:18 remaining, the Hornets pushed their lead to eight after a Kaminsy put-back off of a Kemba Walker miss. Charlotte then built the lead up to 10 with under three minutes remaining. Over the next two minutes, the Hornets were able to close out the Nets, despite a late Brooklyn comeback.

Lopez converted on a three-point play after he was fouled on a layup by Marco Belinelli. That brought Brooklyn within five points, 106-101, and forced Charlotte to take a full timeout. Bogdanovic then made it a one possession game. With Brooklyn down 107-101, he made a three to make it just a three point game. Bogdanovic made another three with 10 seconds left, but the Hornets were able to ice the game at the free throw line.

Charlotte would narrowly escape with a 111-107 victory. The loss is Brooklyn’s 10th straight.