This time, the net did not disrupt the stretch.
It was a slightly short, enthusiastic fourth quarter rally of 108-103, ahead of a 17,274 sold out crowd at Gainbridge Field House.
After blowing a five-point lead in the final minute of Thursday's loss on these same pacers, the script was flipped this time. There was a similar ending: loss.
The net chased 20 early in the final period, and joined together a 21-2 electric shock. But they couldn't get over the hump.
“Yeah, I'm fighting and I think it's always important,” coach Jordi Fernandez said. “Never give up. Under 20, you have the opportunity to fight for the game. It tells a lot about how they put in every day. Don't stop when you turn 20. That's very important.
The net fell behind nine times behind with 15.9 seconds remaining.
They tried to put pressure on the inbound with 3.1 seconds left, but Tyrese Martin was hesitated for a foul.
Pacer iced it with charity stripes.
Nets (23-48) is fifth in the lottery odds, half game than Philadelphia, and 1½ game than Toronto, number 7.
The Net will host the Raptor on Wednesday, in the middle of the three-game homestand, sandwiched between the Mavericks and the Clippers on Friday.
Trendern Watford was kicked out on Thursday and led on Saturday with a high of 26 points after seeing the net collapse after leaving the floor.
Cam Johnson returned from injury with 20 points. However, the net was missing Dangelo Russell (ankle) and Ziaire Williams (Hamstring). The net could have used that scoring punch on Saturday.
The net couldn't keep up with Indiana's pace.
Tyrese Halliburton returned to head Indiana after a pain in his lower back. He flirted with a triple double with 16 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.
Pascal Siakam has 26, while Myles Turner has added 22.
Indiana had a fast break edge of 21-8 – 25-11 from January 1st, lagging behind only Eastern Boston and Cleveland.
The net gave up the first seven points of the night and dragged the entire game. They didn't lead after 11-10 in the first quarter.
And, down just 35-34 after Johnson's turnaround bank was shot at 8:07, where it was left in half, they allowed a one-minute blitz of Lightning Quick 9-0.
Halliburton ousted Pacer during the break and found Andrew Nenbird with a 3-pointer and a 44-34 lead in the second quarter at 6:41.
Watford, who was arguing with the Halliburton postgame after having to be pulled away from Turner on Thursday, got the net within 79-70 in 4 minutes in third place. However, they admitted that they did not respond to the last 11 to end the period.
Siakam probably escaped on the trip, but recorded a layup with three seconds left to put the net into the 90-70 holes.
Brooklyn ran a ferocious 21-2 run in the first 7½ minutes of the fourth.
After Martin's three-pointer reduced the deficit to 92-89, he gave Nic Claxton a breakaway dunk and played with a 4:30 pulling the net within one.
But that's as close as the net gets. Mathurin's jumpers attacked the tide, with one of Siakams 97-92 with 3:28 left.
