Nets embarrassed at home by Pistons 114-80
"They dominated us. We got off to a decent start and then they just dominated us the rest of the way in every phase of the game — and there’s really not a lot to say much more than that.”
Kenny Atkinson's postgame quote sums up the Nets performance tonight.
Brooklyn was a no-show in an embarrassing 114-80 pummeling at the hands of the Detroit Pistons.
The Pistons outplayed the Nets in every facet of the game. They were more active defensively, they crashed the boards and they ran their offense with ease.
Brooklyn had been coming off a span of five games each decided by three points or less. The latter two being a pair of heartbreaking losses to the physical Celtics and Raptors.
Tobias Harris scored 22 points, 14 of which came in the first quarter. Andre Drummond absolutely dominated the Nets big men, matching Harris' 22 points and grabbing 20 rebounds.
The Nets center play has been subpar as of late. Tyler Zeller has severely regressed after showing promise early in the season. Zeller looks unsure of himself when he gets the ball and is dominated physically on a regular basis.
Brooklyn hasn't gotten much help off the bench either. Jahlil Okafor is still trying to shake the rust off while Jarrett Allen is still figuring his game out in his rookie year.
Quincy Acy is also being expected to hold down the power forward position while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is resting. Acy is a servicable role player when he is making his threes, otherwise he is extremely limited. He struggles putting the ball on the floor, passing, defending and rebounding.
Allen Crabbe was the lone bright spot in an ugly performance for Brooklyn. Crabbe scored 20 points on 5-9 three-point shooting. The first-year Net is beginning to find his groove again.
The Nets got off to a decent start. They led by four at one point in the first quarter and had the game tied at 24 with 2:25 left in the opening frame.
From that point on the Nets were lifeless. Their offense became stagnant as they continuously turned the ball over and were dominated on defense as well as the boards.
This loss is a deflating one for Brooklyn. The Nets had been playing very hard and competitively against tough opponents to the pleasure of the fanbase.
Kenny Atkinson's squad will look to bounce back as they hit the road for a back to back. Brooklyn will travel to Atlanta Friday and Washington Saturday before returning home for a Martin Luther King Day matchup with the Knicks.