Inside The Nets

A slow start dooms the Nets in a 102-111 loss to the Cavaliers

Brooklyn came out empty-handed on their trip to Paris.
Peter Sunjic|
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Brooklyn NetsCleveland Cavaliers

The Brooklyn Nets had a rough go-around in their previous game against the Trail Blazers. Unfortunately, that continued in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Paris. Brooklyn only scored 34 points in the first half, while the Cavs had 54.

Cleveland eventually won 102-111 despite a spirited comeback from the Nets. Donovan Mitchell was the standout with 45 points and 12 rebounds. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas showed out with 26 points apiece to help Brooklyn stay competitive in the second half.

“We did some really good things in the second half, and Mitchell’s ability just to put that ball in the hole is a difference maker,” Coach Jacque Vaughn said after the game. “We made some adjustments defensively to be more aggressive with them, but his ability to score baskets at the right time was really good for Cleveland.”

The Nets continue their inconsistent starts

Slow starts have been a season-long problem for Brooklyn, and it happened again in the Paris Game. They went into halftime with a 20-point deficit, a deep hole to dig themselves out of. The Nets fought back, cutting the lead to seven points with four minutes left. However, they couldn’t contain Mitchell in the fourth quarter.

Brooklyn struggled to get their rhythm because both Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith struggled with illnesses heading into this game. This made Coach Jacque Vaughn adjust his lineup with Cam Thomas playing as a ball-handler.

The second-half performance was promising, but that should not be a constant need for Brooklyn. They need to play much better in the first half because they can build momentum to win the game.

The Nets have a rough set of games ahead

The team returns to Brooklyn soon, and they will be getting a home game against the Miami Heat. They go back on the road to play the Trail Blazers, Lakers, and Clippers, which is a tough West Coast road trip again for the Nets.

If they want to get back to the Playoff picture, Brooklyn needs to improve their play on both ends of the floor. They shouldn’t have a bad record because the organization does not own their 2024 draft pick. The Nets team is getting good performances out of the best players, but they need more consistency to help guide them to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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