The Brooklyn Nets (2-12) have been having a tough time this season trying to string together wins as they look to incorporate some of the rookies within playing against real NBA talent. Brooklyn was coming off a dominant win at the Washington Wizards and they had to be feeling good about themselves afterwards, but the Boston Celtics (8-7) had different ideas of how the game was going to go.
The Nets lost to the Celtics 113-99 in a game where Brooklyn was competitive for a little over three quarters, but the fourth quarter is where the game shifted heavily in Boston’s direction. Forward Michael Porter Jr. brought his usual scoring punch to the floor as he dropped 25 points, six rebounds, and three steals while center Day’Ron Sharpe came off the bench to provide 16 points and seven rebounds of his own.
The Nets didn’t have any answers for Celtics forward Jaylen Brown as he was able to get to wherever he wanted on the floor and he was able to get to the free-throw line throughout the game. Despite the fact that Brooklyn forced Boston into 20 turnovers, leading into 21 points, they weren’t able to come out on top so here are three Nets takeaways from Tuesday’s 113-99 loss to the Celtics:
Egor Demin Doesn’t Play At The End Of The Fourth Quarter
While head coach Jordi Fernandez has made it clear multiple times this season that he will play the guys that can give the team the best chance to win, regardless of whether they’re a young guy or a veteran. One of the main criticisms of Fernandez and his substitution pattern has been that rookie Egor Demin is not playing much in the fourth quarters of close games and that may have to chance soon if Demin is truly going to be thrown into the fire.
Day’Ron Sharpe Impresses
Sharpe is one of the longest-tenured players on the Nets and as a result, he has the most knowledge to offer when it comes to playing under Fernandez and in front of the Brooklyn fanbase. Ever since he made himself a regular member of the rotation a few years, Sharpe has consistently brought his motor on the glass and against the Celtics, he showed that he could be a force to be reckoned with near the basket once the ball gets in his hands.
Nic Claxton Struggles Mightily
Claxton has been playing well this season as he hasn’t met many matchups that he hasn’t been able to gain an advantage in or at least make his own impact against his opponent, even if he loses the matchup. However, Claxton struggled mightily trying to score against center Neemias Queta as his length and athleticism made scoring in the paint and at the rim a tall task for the Georgia Bulldog. Claxton will be better moving forward based on his track record.