PHILADELPHIA — A 136-121 result that ended the Nets’ nine-game losing streak will be etched into the schedule as a win (four straight losses came in last year’s postseason sweep, the other five in the regular season). If they can get 3 wins in 4 games in a row, maybe it will be the start of something.
However, context is important. Philadelphia was without starters Joel Embiid, DeAnthony Melton, Tobias Harris and Nicolas Batum, and its patchwork lineup fell behind by 25 points just four minutes into the second quarter. But at this juncture in the Nets’ season, they’re in the midst of a brutal eight-game series, six of which will be against teams that hold a top-six spot or at least clinch a spot in the play-in tournament. . Once it ends at the All-Star break, they’ll come away with a win, and that’s thanks to Cam Thomas (40 points) and Mikal Bridges (23 points) helping them out at the Wells Fargo Center. is.
Saturday, with Embiid out, was the Nets’ chance to get a win this year against the 76ers.
Although he dropped 32 points in the first matchup of the 2023-24 season, the reigning MVP had once again established himself as a candidate to win the award.
Instead, Philadelphia’s offense revolved around guard Tyrese Maxey, who was in the midst of the best season of his career, averaging 26.3 points and earning his first All-Star appearance. Head coach Jacques Vaughn expected that approach, too.
The 76ers were able to increase the tempo without Embiid. Maxey said Friday that he can play more “freely,” which adds more weight to the Nets’ challenge.
“It’s a deadly combination because once he gets the basketball in his hands, he’s going to have more chances and you have to react to him,” Vaughn said Friday. “And if he’s making threes, that takes his responsibility to another level.”
Maxey (23 points) finished with 16 points in the first half, but the Nets countered with a balanced offense. Ben Simmons returned from missing one game with a left knee contusion and had five assists and nine rebounds.
Nick Claxton also grabbed 10 rebounds in the first 15 minutes.
After Simmons checked in for the first time, the Nets took an early lead with a 10-0 run, and after Walker hit a 3-pointer and Simmons passed in transition, Brooklyn led by 13 points.
There were still moments when the 76ers threatened to take the lead, and Maxey and the starting lineup’s replacements cut the deficit to 16 points by halftime.
But Thomas almost single-handedly decided the game in the third quarter, alternating second-seconds, third-seconds and free throws on his way to the 21-point mark, securing his fifth straight game with 25 or more points.
Once again, the Nets held a 20-point lead in the final frame.
They had a razor-thin margin of error ahead of the All-Star break and trade deadline.
Once the Feb. 8 finish line arrives and everything falls into place, including draft picks, players who move, and pieces who stay and take on various roles, their rosters will change by this time next week. There may be.
Little about the Nets’ long-term blueprint remains constant.
Part of this is due to the short-term effects being inconsistent and disappearing with the losses just as the wins start to follow. Saturday may have been the latest example of an all-too-familiar result against an all-too-familiar opponent.
The Nets avoided the trap. And for now, it could signal progress.
