The Nets stayed in Paris looking for answers after a month-long slump, but are still firmly in the dark after losing yet again in the City of Lights.
Thursday's loss to Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers marked the seventh time in the last eight games for the struggling Nets and the 12th time in 15 games since Dec. 13 that they have won 16 games overall after starting 13-10. They fell to 22 losses.
That leaves them barely hanging on to 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, a few games into the 82-game regular season that goes into Friday's league play.
While the cultural significance of a season-long trip to France is undeniable, the Nets return home on Friday and face teams with current winning records in five of their next seven games, starting Monday against the Heat at Barclays Center. You will be faced with a daunting schedule. .
The Nets had no answers defensively for Mitchell, who scored just 34 points in a tough first half against the Cavs and finished with 45 points, despite doubling that total to 68 points in the final two quarters.
“That's the exact message I gave the group. I still believe this group can accomplish some things and play consistent basketball,” Nets coach Jacques Vaughn said after the game. Ta. “Being healthy certainly helps, but you can't use it as an excuse.
“The ability to create and solve things together, as we showed in the second half, we need to continue to have that mindset in the game.”
In fact, two of the five starters, Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith, were sick and had limited playing time as they were treated with IV fluids, and backup center Dayron Sharpe was sidelined with a hyperextended knee. Ta.
Still, starting wing Cam Johnson was replaced by backups Cam Thomas and Lonnie Walker IV and sat on the bench for the entire fourth quarter after scoring a season-low three points on 1-of-7 shooting. .
Thomas and Walker combined for 46 points off the bench, helping the Nets pull within seven points in the final quarter.
Thomas' 26 points were his most in seven games since starting in place of Finney-Smith on Dec. 29 against the Wizards.
“His game is growing and it's great to have him on the international stage,” Vaughn said. “For a while, we had him starting, but we were so small that it was tough to rebound…rebounding and giving the basketball was a real disadvantage for us. is” [opponents] Additional opportunities.
“What I think about Cam is that he's a great basketball player. And my message to him is, 'Some nights end, some nights start.' And vice versa. . [Thursday] He didn't start, but he finished the game for us. So whether it's No. 6, No. 7, No. 8 or the starter, I'm going to continue to coach him as a basketball player and I'm going to thank him for what he's done for us as a basketball player.”
Mikal Bridges tied Thomas with 26 points, but only made one field goal and six points, and the Nets led by as many as 22 points in an ugly first half.
“The second half was positive for us, but I think what hurt us was that before we came here, we were at the L in Portland and we were trying to get our second straight win.” [before leaving for Paris]'' Bridges said. “I had a little bit more time to practice, so my defense got better in practice.” [Tuesday and Wednesday]But clearly it needs to be better. Losing any game hurts. ”
The losses and hurt continue for the Nets, with less than four weeks left until GM Sean Marks reshuffles the roster before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.
“We have to help each other as a team,” Bridges added. “We did well, but we have to help each other defensively. If one person loses, someone has to step up. We have to be better than that. The game is perfect. It won't happen, but we must help each other and cover for each other.
“We have to be better and better on both fronts.”
