1. Turnovers too much to overcome
The Brooklyn Nets were once again loose with the basketball and the Indiana Pacers made them pay for it in a big way Saturday night, piling up 30 points off Brooklyn’s 20 giveaways.
It was the second consecutive game the Nets had at least 20 turnovers and in three games this season, their total stands at 61.
After two strong games to start the season, Jarrett Allen had a rough night. He sat for 13 consecutive minutes in the first half and logged just 21 minutes in total, but turned the ball over four times, finishing with eight points and three rebounds.
Caris LeVert finished with a quiet 19 points and also turned it over four times, getting up only nine shots in 28 minutes.
D’Angelo Russell turned the ball over three times in 31 minutes and Allen Crabbe had three as well in 25 minutes.
Brooklyn was consistent with the inconsistent handle on the rock, turning it over five times in the first quarter, with four in the second, six in the third and five in the fourth.
Unlike the first two games, the Nets didn’t back it up with their defense. Indiana shot 55.4 percent for the game, hit 66.7 percent from deep and was pretty much able to get whatever it wanted in terms of shots.
The Pacers also had terrific balance, with all nine of their regular rotation players finishing in double figures.
The bottom line is very simple — Brooklyn can’t keep giving the ball away 20 times a game if the club has plans on improving its win total of 28 from last season. It’s just not going to happen.