PORTLAND, Ore. — Both the Nets and Trail Blazers entered Wednesday with just one win in 2024. While the Trail Blazers are in rebuild mode, the Nets still envision themselves competing for at least a play-in spot.
It spoke volumes to how low the Nets have sunk over the past month. They sunk even lower with a 105-103 loss to the Trail Blazers at Moda Center.
Anfernee Simons made the game-winning shot on a floater with 0.2 seconds left. He drove past Mikal Bridges and found little resistance in the paint as he shot over Nic Claxton’s outstretched hand.
“We were going to double [Jerami] Grant or Simons,” coach Jacque Vaughn said. “Give [Simons] credit. Good move to get to the rim and finish”
It was also the third go-ahead or tying shot in the final 10 seconds. Grant’s putback layup with 9.7 seconds left put the Trail Blazers up 103-101. Cam Johnson answered back with a driving layup to tie the score with 5.2 seconds remaining.
The Nets gave up 50 paint points Wednesday night, including final two baskets.
“I just thought overall, we left some on the table at the beginning of the game first half of knowing personnel-wise who was going to drive the basketball and who could get to the rim,” Vaughn said.
“So that’s a big piece of protecting the paint and knowing who are drivers and who are shooters.”
Despite icy weather keeping most of the crowd at Moda Center home, fans left with something to cheer about. As for the Nets, they’ve now lost four consecutive games and have lost 14 of their last 17.
“I think I could’ve been more solid protecting the rim for us tonight,” Nic Claxton said. “I definitely should’ve had some more blocks. Getting swept by Portland it definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth but we can’t fold, we just can’t fold. We got to keep working.”
The Nets led by 11 in the third quarter but they opened the fourth as cold as the icy weather. Thanks to a (1-for-8 shooting start), they allowed the Trail Blazers to climb back in the…
Read the full article here
