Brooklyn Nets get blown out by Sixers: Recap and Reaction

The Brooklyn Nets hosted the Sixers on Sunday night at the Barclays Center. The Nets were looking for their second consecutive win, and 22nd overall. They got blown out by the Sixers by a score of 120-97.

Philadelphia has been jockeying for playoff seeding in a close bottom half of the Eastern Conference. So they had a lot to play for in this game. To no one’s surprise, the Nets were asleep during the first quarter.

The Sixers shot 16-for-20 from the floor and were three of five from range. They were able to get any shot they wanted against Brooklyn, taking an early 37-25 lead.

Philadelphia was up by as much as 19 at one point in the second quarter. But as they always do, the Nets were able to chip away. D’Angelo Russell had a strong half and carried that Nets all night finishing with 26 points, four rebounds, and four assists. But he was also a team worst minus-24 on the evening.

Jahlil Okafor made his appearance in a game since February 12th. He was active on defense against Joel Embiid and had a nice dunk in the first half as well.

The Nets 41 percent overall and 35 percent from three in the half, while allowing the Sixers to make two-thirds of their attempts from the field. Yet they trailed by just 10 at the break.

At one point the Nets defecit was only six, but the Sixers were able to push it back to 13 going into the fourth quarter, at which point the Nets ran out of steam. The Sixers were very aggressive on both ends. They showed great cuts, and creative passing on offense, along with getting into the lanes and at the rim on defense.

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The Nets gave very little effort in the fourth quarter. They weren’t creative on offense, often being forced to settle for bad shots, and the opponent blew past them on defense.

The Nets committed 18 turnovers, against 17 assists. The Sixers went most of the second half not having a single one, and dished out 33 assists as a team.

You knew the game was out of hand when Timofey Mozgov checked in with six minutes left.

Dario Saric had an efficient game for the Sixers with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Robert Covington was solid as well hitting three three-pointers and scoring 19. He was also able to drive to the basket on numerous occasions, finish, and get to the line.

Embiid was the high man for Philadelphia with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Allen Crabbe, Joe Harris, and DeMarre Carroll really struggled, going a combined three for 18 shooting. The Nets aren’t going to win many games with those three performing the way they did, or when shooting under 40 percent overall like they did on Sunday.

As the Nets continue their rebuild, the Sixers provide a good reference point. The Nets host Toronto on Tuesday night looking to get back to the win column.

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