Nets get defensive in win over Pacers

Stifle Indiana in fourth quarter to snap slide

December 5, 2024 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Jordi Fernández spoke and the Nets listened Wednesday night, using their defense to shut down the Indiana Pacers at Downtown's Barclays Center. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II

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Jordi Fernández spent most of Wednesday morning’s shootaround coaxing his Nets to show more defensive resolve following a porous performance in Chicago.

The rookie coach’s message got through to his charges.

Cam Johnson scored 26 points and Brooklyn used a clamp-down defense and clutch fourth-quarter performances from its reserves to stifle the slumping Indiana Pacers, 99-90, in front of 16,748 satisfied customers at Downtown’s Barclays Center.

Two nights earlier, the Nets (10-13) watched a winnable game escape their grasp in the Windy City, yielding 72 points after halftime to absorb a 128-100 loss to the Bulls that stretched their losing streak to a season high-tying three games.

Fernández cited his team for its lack of defensive tenacity, questioning whether it was living up to the “standards” they had preached throughout training camp and the first quarter of the campaign.

The Nets responded immediately, yielding 35 first-half points en route to racing out to a 16-point lead at intermission.

“I think we were connected and had a sense of urgency after the second half of the Chicago game,” noted Fernández.

But Indiana, which has dropped a season-high four straight overall and eight in a row on the road, wouldn’t go away so easily.

The Pacers (9-14) raced back into contention and forged an 80-80 deadlock on Paul Siakam’s free throw with 8:06 to play.

Brooklyn yielded 20 points or fewer in the first, second and fourth quarters, but Indiana burned it for 35 in the third.

“That third quarter was the worst, but you understand (the Pacers) will respond,” ceded Fernández. “For the most part, I liked how connected we (were), our sense of urgency.”

Reserve guard Shake Milton helped guard Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton as the Nets snapped a three-game skid at Barclays Center. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II

Facing its first four-game slide of the season, Brooklyn surged back ahead for good with a 14-2 run, fueled mostly by the “Bench Mob”.

Back on the hardwood after missing Monday’s loss in Chicago due to back and knee issues, Ben Simmons got the decisive burst going with an alley-oop dunk off a feed from Shake Milton.

Trendon Watford drained four free throws around a driving layup by Jalen Wilson before Simmons set up Wilson for another basket that made it 90-80 with 5:48 left.

Tyrese Haliburton answered with a 17-footer for Indiana, but Milton and Day’Ron Sharpe scored on successive trips to put the Pacers away for good.

“(Defense) was something we harped upon this morning at shootaround. We had our communication on point.” said Milton, who finished with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

He also chimed in on what led to Brooklyn yielding its lowest point total of the year.

“I think from when (Fernández) challenges us and also gives us confidence. … We all encourage each other to keep going and keep going hard,” Milton added.

Nic Claxton had 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds and Wilson finished with 11 points for the Nets, who outscored the Pacers 44-36 in the paint thanks to the efforts of Sharpe and Simmons.

Sharpe, in just his second game of the season since returning from a hamstring injury, had seven points, six boards and a steal while Simmons added seven points, nine assists and seven caroms without a turnover.

“Those guys had a positive impact on the game,” Fernández noted. “Day’Ron’s energy has been huge. Same with Shake and Ben. The way they closed out the game, I couldn’t be happier for them.”

Haliburton scored 17 points for the Pacers, who haven’t won away from home since Nov. 4 in Dallas.

That slide could have ended on the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush if not for the Nets’ collective defense down the stretch.

“We responded. We won the game in the fourth with our defense,” said Fernández. “That group right there. They were able to close it.

“The number one thing is to win as a group.”

Brooklyn will enjoy three days off before trying to put together another group effort Sunday afternoon when it hosts Milwaukee at Barclays.

Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Ben Simmons had nine assists and no turnovers Wednesday as the Nets handed the Pacers their eighth straight road loss. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II

NOTHING BUT NET: Johnson, who missed Monday’s loss due to an ankle injury, had the most points every by a Net without scoring a single two-pointer. The 6-foot-8 forward drained seven 3s and five free throws. … Getting Johnson and Simmons back proved to be a boon for Brooklyn’s injury-depleted roster. Dorian Finney-Smith missed his fourth straight game with a bad ankle, Ziaire Williams sat out his third in a row with an injured knee and leading scorer Cam Thomas (hamstring) and reserve forward Noah Clowney (ankle) aren’t expected back before late December. … After taking on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, Brooklyn will get another four days off while the league stages the quarterfinal round of the NBA Cup. The Nets will be back on the hardwood in Memphis next Friday night.