Nets ground Rockets 123-116 to snap two-game losing skid

Houston's high octane offense was held in check Friday night.

The Nets understood how devastating a third straight loss would be in the early season and they played like the more desperate squad at Barclays Center against the Rockets. 

Things didn't start swimmingly for Brooklyn to start things off as it dug into a 15-point first half hole before outscoring Houston 37-26 in the second quarter. Taureen Prince notched a Net career-high of 27, Caris LeVert dropped in 25, while Kyrie Irving poured in 22. Garrett Temple came out of hiding with 16 points and Joe Harris splashed down 15 points as Brooklyn shot a scorching 19 of 32 from three point range while Houston just shot 12 of 48. 

A night after scoring 59 points in the Rockets 159-158 victory over Washington, James Harden had 36 on 10 for 31 shooting. 

Irving was outdueled in this contest as he committed five early turnovers

 and was on the bench for much of the first half. Clearly, Kenny Atkinson was fed up with Brooklyn's sloppy play as the team cleaned up its act and put together a stellar second half to improve to 2-3 on the season. The Nets take on the Pistons Saturday night in search of their second straight victory.