OAKLAND – The Nets were coming off the type of loss that had its origins somewhere in the seventh circle of Hell. Up 20 points. Vapor and brain lock. Lose to the Kings.
But they vowed to turn it around.
“One game,” Lawrence Frank said before last night’s collapse against Golden State, “whether it’s a win or a loss, never makes a season. You can’t rewind in life. All you can do is move forward.”
No, you can also step back. Like the Nets did last night. And they basically stepped off a cliff.
Again, a big lead was blown – actually two big leads. The Nets saw an 11-point advantage evaporate in the final 4:11, capped by Monta Ellis nailing a buzzer-beating left-corner jumper after a Nets miss, dealing New Jersey a gut-busting 110-109 loss to the Warriors.
“We’re up one with 29 seconds to go,” Frank said following the loss. “But 22 turnovers didn’t help, but we did have the lead.”
Golden State, down 104-93, with just over 4:00 left, used a 13-2 run before Jason Kidd hit what looked like his biggest triple of the night, putting the Nets up 109-106. Instead, it just prolonged their agony.
“This one stings,” Kidd said. “That’s for sure.”
After Al Harrington (29 points) hit two free throws, Bostjan Nachbar missed and Baron Davis rebounded, starting the push that led to Ellis’ dagger.
“I had a wide open look. I just missed it,” Nachbar said. “I’m just trying to put it behind me.”
Vince Carter, despite some serious struggles, racked up 23 points and a career high 13 assists. Kidd, despite eight turnovers, had 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Marcus Williams gave Kidd legit rest and scored 17 points. Mikki Moore, off his career-high of 22 points, scored 16. Nachbar – getting added time in the absence of Richard Jefferson, although Hassan Adams started again – scored 14.
“You’re allowed to be disappointed and upset about the last two [games],” Frank said, “but you’ve got to keep your heads up.”
The third quarter saw more of the same problems the Nets experienced in the first half. The Warriors used quickness and offensive rebounds to keep it close. Kidd put up good offensive numbers to take the bite off a high turnover night. The Nets still had the upper hand, albeit slight, 84-82, entering the fourth.
The Nets troubles began in the first half when it usually does – after they built a really healthy lead.
After Carter went wild in the first quarter with 14 points and Kidd set an early dominating tone with passing, rebounding and pushing the ball, the Nets received a couple quick second-quarter baskets from Nachbar and were feasting on a 40-24 lead. Then famine.
For 6:10, the Nets were nowhere on both ends. Before Moore scored a layup at 4:44, the Warriors had ripped off 15 straight points to get within one.
The Nets missed eight times and committed seven turnovers while the Warriors were getting layups, dunks and put backs. In fact, 11 straight Golden State baskets came on layups. By halftime, the Warriors held a hideous 32-14 lead on points in the paint.
“I’ve seen some crazy things [the last two games],” Williams said. The Nets hope for calmer, more rewarding results tonight.
“[Tonight vs. the Clippers] is going to show the true character of this team,” Nachbar said. “It will show how tough we are.”