Why the Brooklyn Nets need to play better in the fourth quarter

Coach Jacque Vaughn’s team struggles to close out games when they have a lead.

© Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets won against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, but it was a bittersweet victory. That was due to the Nets’ inability to close out games properly, almost suffering another collapse after taking a 28-point lead earlier.

A win is a win, but Coach Jacque Vaughn's squad must play better in the final period. The Nets blew fourth-quarter leads to the Clippers and Knicks, leading to embarrassing defeats after playing well for the first 36 minutes.

The Nets' last 8 days have been BRUTAL.

💥 16-point blown lead vs Heat
💥 10-point blown lead vs Blazers
💥 18-point blown lead vs Clippers
💥 10-point blown lead vs Knicks

Brooklyn is 2-8 in the month of January. pic.twitter.com/kS3wWKSs8M

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 24, 2024

“I did feel we were more comfortable in the fourth quarter. Even when they were making the run, the conversation between our guys was good going back to the huddle,” Coach Vaughn said about the Nets’ struggles in the final period against the Rockets. “I'm gonna take away the positive piece of it: We're in these situations over and over again, which is good, and we're learning how to deal with it.”

The Nets are losing too many winnable games

Brooklyn is much better than what the 18-27 record might suggest. The Nets have played plenty of close games this season when lady luck was not helping them. However, the team should learn how to close out games properly because sometimes, being unlucky is not a reason anymore.

"The turnovers. Turnovers, and that allowed them to get out in transition, so now we're walking the ball up. It's just a trickle-down effect."

- Jacque Vaughn on BKN's poor late-game O

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 28, 2024

Against Houston, the team looked sluggish and lethargic in the fourth quarter. That was a far cry from how the squad played earlier in the game. To solve this, Coach Vaughn and the rest of the team must have a sense of urgency to perform with energy for all 48 minutes. Folding in the fourth quarter should not happen because the team is too talented to keep losing games like that.

Playoffs are still a goal for Brooklyn

Despite the mediocre win-loss record, Brooklyn can still make the Playoffs. They will likely have to play in the Play-In Tournament, but the opportunity is there for the taking.

By getting Ben Simmons back and the team finding their form on offense, the Nets can make massive improvements heading into the final stretch. At the top of that list of issues to solve, the fourth quarter performances should be the priority.

Becoming a more clutch team will do wonders for Brooklyn because the team is jam-packed with talented players who can stand out in high-pressure situations.

Outstanding hustle plays from Royce O'Neale and Nic Claxton to prevent a bucket and gain possession: pic.twitter.com/Wug2zJWNcX

— Lucas Kaplan (@LucasKaplan_) January 28, 2024

Ben Simmons' return to the Brooklyn Nets lineup is imminent