Brooklyn Nets: The Showdown That Wasn't

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WEDNESDAY

Nets   117

Sixers 123

FINAL

Nets Lose the Battle With Sights Set on the Post Season War

In one of the more odd games of the season, the fans seemed more into this game than the Nets themselves.  Playing minus the services of Kevin Durant, James Harden, Blake Griffin, and LaMarcus Aldridge, Brooklyn was still plus-six in the paint, plus-two on fast breaks, plus-seven from the stripe, and even a plus-eleven in rebounds.  

They trailed by eight at halftime, and at one point, were down by as many as 22-points and still put themselves in a position to win.  Down by ten entering the fourth quarter, Brooklyn pulled to within three points of the Sixers with 1:16 left on the clock but ultimately lose by six. 

• NOTE: LaMarcus Aldridge has announced his retirement.  After playing against the Lakers last Saturday, he has been determined to experience an irregular heartbeat.  I bid him health, peace, and calm during this time.  Chris Chiozza is also likely out for the season with a fractured hand.

Joining Kyrie Irving in the starting five were Jeff Green, Joe Harris, DeAndre Jordan, and Landry Shamet.

Irving led the Nets with 37 points and tied (with Ben Simmons) for game-high with nine assists in 33 minutes.  However, he was offset by Joel Embiid's 39 points in 33 minutes.  Otherwise, the Nets shot a mere 4/21 from behind the arc, whereas Philadelphia was 13/28, and therein lies the Sixers' margin of victory.

Landry Shamet was second in with 17 points in 36 minutes, and DeAndre Jordan went double-double with twelve points and 14 rebounds.  However, Joe Harris again was nowhere to be found.  Attempting only the team's fifth-most shots, he finished with a mere six points in 26 minutes.  On the other hand, Bruce Brown scored 14 points with five rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench.

Philadelphia wins the season series against Flatbush, two games to one.