With the Nets clinging to the seventh playoff spot, their 131-121 loss to the league’s best Milwaukee Bucks was a stinging defeat, but fortunately for Brooklyn’s pride and joy the three other teams in the scramble for the final two playoff berths – Detroit, Orlando and Miami also lost.
Right out of the gates, Brooklyn was cold like ice missing 13 of their first 16 shots, falling behind 26-9. Then, after former Net center Brook Lopez hit a three-pointer the Nets found themselves digging out of a 22 point hole.
“We put ourselves in a big hole in the first quarter. It was tough fighting back, especially against a team like that,” said Caris LeVert, who had his best game since returning from injury finishing with 24 points and 6 assists. “They’re number one in the East for a reason. We’ve just got to learn from it and keep moving”
However, as fans have become accustomed to, Brooklyn fought back for the remainder of the game.
Going into second half Nets’ energy and offense was exactly where it needed to be against Milwaukee and their MVP Candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. Shooting 65 percent from the field it looked like they were ready to make a big splash and steal this game back with a big 35 point third quarter.
After Antetokounmpo picked up his fourth foul on the night and was benched along with Eric Bledsoe, Brooklyn had an extraordinary opportunity to take over. Instead, the Bucks were allowed to stay in the game, eventually going on a 12-3 run that carried over into the fourth frame.
The Nets cut the lead to 101-97 on back-to-back three-pointers by Joe Harris (17-points) and D’Angelo Russell, but that’s the closest they would get again.
“We weren’t ready for that onslaught, Give them credit, they came with the juice and the energy,” said head coach Kenny Atkinson. “They turned our missed shots and turnovers into layups. Giannis was coming at us downhill, and at that point, it’s pick your poison: Keep him in front and give up the three or stay with their shooters and let him lay it up. It’s a tough quandary.”
Antetokounmpo finished the game with 28 points and a team-high 11 rebounds—without Bucks forward-guard Khris Middleton, who has been sidelined for the past two games due to left groin soreness.
For the Nets it was another well balanced scoring night, which has made them such a tough opponent for most of the season. Russell finished the game with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while DeMarre Carroll added 20 points. Rounding out the starters was Jarrett Allen who finished with 10 points and 9 boards. Off the bench, Spencer Dinwiddie ended the night with 12 points.
With four games left all against playoff teams, the stakes have never been higher this season for the Nets to win, and the final game of the season will be against the Heat, which will also be Dwayne Wade’s last game of his career. It’s almost a poetic end to the season.
