Nets break down defensively in loss to struggling Hawks

The Brooklyn Nets faltered defensively in a 114-102 loss to the struggling Hawks Saturday in Brooklyn.

Dennis Schroder scored 24 points on 11-24 shooting from the field to lead Atlanta. Luke Babbitt scored 20 points on 4-6 three-point shooting for the Hawks as well.

Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn with 15 points and nine assists. Joe Harris (4-6) and Allen Crabbe (3-5) shot a combined 7-11 from the three-point line. Brooklyn shot 40.5% (17-42) from three. Jarrett Allen

scored a career-high 12 points in the loss.

Brooklyn trailed for most of the game, but cut into the Atlanta lead several times. The Hawks' lead was trimmed to four with 7:40 remaining in the game. However, the Nets could never get the key stop they needed on the defensive end.

The energy was not there defensively for Brooklyn. The Nets guards were not staying in front of their men and there was not consistent help defense from the frontcourt. Brooklyn also let up several backdoor cuts and continued to struggle against the pick and roll.

Kenny Atkinson's squad appeared to be coming home with some momentum following a road trip in which they won two of three. However, the Nets performance Saturday was very disappointing.

The Nets will look to redeem themselves in a rematch with the Hawks Monday night in Atlanta.