For the first time in franchise history, the Brooklyn Nets have back-to-back 60-loss seasons after their huge loss to the Chicago Bulls, 112-73.
The Brooklyn Nets found themselves heavily criticized for deciding to rest their star players for the final game of the season. Brook Lopez and Jeremy Lin rested despite their team having the worst win-loss record in the league.
Nets management wanted to give players playing for a contract an opportunity to prove themselves. With that opportunity, Archie Goodwin posted 20 points on 63.6 percent shooting in 29 minutes to lead Brooklyn in scoring. Jimmy Butler scored the game-high 25 points.
As for the rest of the young Nets, Caris LeVert and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson combined for 16 points in the season finale. Rookie Isaiah Whitehead would tallied five points on 20 percent shooting, and K.J. McDaniels added 15 points.
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With their stars resting and other players out with injuries, nine players suited up for the Nets in their final game. LeVert and Hollis-Jefferson dominated the Nets’ offense early in the first, but Chicago quickly jumped out to a 19-11.
The Nets used all nine available players in the first quarter. The Bulls went on a 14-0 run and had a 27-13 lead to end the opening quarter. Brooklyn shot 26 percent from the field and 11 percent from behind the arc.
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Chicago would continue to stretch the lead out deep into the second quarter. At one point, Brooklyn was down by 21 points, as the Nets trailed the Bulls 43-22 with five minutes left in the first half.
The Nets were down 50-32 at halftime. Brooklyn shot 32.6 percent from the field and an abysmal 11.8 percent from deep in the first half.
The story of the Nets season: the third quarter woes, were brightened up by some nice LeVert highlights. Led by Butler, Chicago was a team playing with a purpose, playing for a chance at the playoffs. Even though the Bulls only outscored the Nets by one, 25-24, for the quarter, Chicago continued to dominate Brooklyn 75-56 at the end of the third.
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With under ten minutes left in the season, the Nets were shooting 7.7 percent from three (2-of-26) and had turned the ball over 15 times. The Bulls would extend their lead to 30 points, as the Nets trailed 99-69 with under five minutes left in the game.
Chicago continued to put the nail in the coffin on the Nets’ season as they extended their lead to 39 points. The Nets were outscored by 20 points in the final quarter and shot under 10 percent from long range in the game.
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With the loss, Brooklyn finishes 20-62 on the season. Meanwhile, Chicago secures a spot in the postseason.