NBA NBA Twitter reacts to the Nets’ close loss to the Cavaliers
NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets welcomed the Cleveland Cavaliers to Barclays Center on Tuesday for the front end of a home-and-home series with the Cavaliers and lost 115-109. The regular-season series is now tied at 1-1 with the third and final game on Thursday.
For the Nets, Day’Ron Sharpe had 20 points and 11 rebounds while Spencer Dinwiddie had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Mikal Bridges had 18 points and Cam Johnson had 16 points.
For the Cavaliers, Donovan Mitchell had 31 points and five rebounds while Caris LeVert had 18 points and four assists off the bench. Darius Garland had 17 points and Evan Mobley had 17 points as well.
In the first half, both teams played to a push essentially with the halftime score of 61-55. In the first quarter, Mikal Bridges and Nic Claxton got off to good starts as they found their sweet spots on the floor. Brooklyn was able to force Cleveland into plenty of turnovers that led to extra possessions. In the second quarter, Brooklyn’s three-point shooting failed them as they shot just 33.3% while Cleveland shot 50% on mostly wide-open three-point shots.
In the second half, it started off as if Cleveland was going to run away with the game. In the third quarter, the Cavaliers started the period with a 10-3 run and looked unstoppable doing it. However, things changed once Brooklyn’s bench came in the game. The Nets made things interesting in the fourth quarter thanks to the newfound energy, but the 24-point cushion that Cleveland had was too much to overcome.
A positive from tonight: Day’Ron Sharpe looked great against a formidable frontcourt.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 22, 2023
From NetsPR
Most offensive rebounds in a game this season for Brooklyn:29 – 12/10 at Indiana
17 – tonight vs. Cleveland
15 – 3/9 at Milwaukee
15 – 1/26 vs. Detroit
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) March 22, 2023
From NetsPR
Players with 20+ points, 10+ rebounds and eight or more offensive boards in a game off the bench in franchise history:Day'Ron Sharpe – tonight vs. Cleveland
Brook Lopez – 1/30/15 vs. Toronto (OT)
Jayson Williams – 2/6/97 vs. Indiana
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) March 22, 2023
Cleveland beats Brooklyn. Heat (39-34) now within a half-game of the Nets (39-33) in the race for No. 6, though Brooklyn owns the tiebreaker.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) March 22, 2023
Final: Cavs 115, Nets 109
Brooklyn shoots 9/33 (27.3%) from three as their shooting slump continues.
Nets are trending in the wrong direction with their lead on Miami for 6th down to a half a game.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 22, 2023
Final: Nets fall to the Cavs 115-109. Late push in the fourth wasn't enough for the Nets, who have now dropped four in a row. Line between the Nets and Heat grows thinner. Same matchup back here Thursday.
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) March 22, 2023
If the Nets can defend like they did in the first and fourth quarters on Thursday, maybe they’ll have a chance against the Cavs.
Some consistent offense would help.
— Alec Sturm (@Alec_Sturm) March 22, 2023
We keep seeing these very promising flashes from Sharpe. Might as well let him play a solid role the rest of the season and know for sure what you do or don’t have.
— Brooklyn Netcast (@BrooklynNetcast) March 22, 2023
Nets' three-point shooting during four-game losing streak:
at OKC: 12/41
vs. SAC: 14/39
vs. DEN: 12/35
vs. CLE: 9/33That’s 31.8%. Not gonna get it done for a team that gets to the rim at the lowest rate in the league.
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) March 22, 2023
