No holiday cheer for Nets in Miami

Fade in 4th quarter of 110-95 loss to Heat

December 24, 2024 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Nets coach Jordi Fernández couldn't do much but watch as his Nets battled hard but ultimately bowed to the Heat in Miami Monday night. AP Photo by Lynne Sladky

Share this:

The Brooklyn Nets would have doubtlessly enjoyed their respective Christmas feasts a lot more with a win in Miami Monday night.

But the previously slumping Heat had other ideas.

At least the Nets can rest easy over the next two days after their fiery coach took it easy on them following their eighth loss in 10 games. He even admired the way they fought until the very end.

“I’m proud of the guys, the way they played, the fight, the togetherness, the way we played basketball,” said Jordi Fernández in the aftermath of Miami’s 110-95 triumph over the Nets in front of 19,832 fans at the Kaseya Center.

“It’s a positive step compared to the Utah game,” the rookie coach added wistfully.

Brooklyn (11-18) was coming off Sunday’s 105-94 setback to the Jazz at Barclays Center, one of only two home games it’ll play during the holiday season.

Losing to one of the worst teams in the NBA in Downtown Brooklyn after snapping a three-game skid in Toronto last Thursday certainly motivated the Nets in Miami.

But only so far.

After shaving a 14-point deficit to two points in the third quarter and then entering the fourth down five, Brooklyn was in position to beat a Heat team that had dropped three in a row (14-13) to fall back to .500.

Bam Adebayo wouldn’t let it happen. He capped a 23-point, seven-rebound, seven assist night by turning out the lights on the Nets.

After a series of easy inside baskets by Kel’el Ware and Tyler Herro, Adebayo went to work, draining a nine-foot pull-up, a scoop to the hoop, throwing down a thunderous jam and nailing a 14-footer as the Heat opened a 107-90 cushion.

Nikola Jovic followed with a 3-pointer to give Miami its biggest lead of the game.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo had a big fourth quarter against Brooklyn Monday to help the Heat pull away from the struggling Nets. AP Photo by Lynne Sladky

Save for another strong effort from veteran forward Cam Johnson and some sharp-shooting by Noah Clowney, the rest of the Nets’ offense foundered.

“They did a great job defensively,” Fernández ceded. “We fell into a lot of mid-range shots, contested ones, tough ones. That was the biggest difference. When you allow 52 points in the second half, you should give yourself a chance.”

Jovic scored 18 points off the bench and Herro and Duncan Robinson added 18 apiece for Miami, which held Brooklyn to 38% shooting from the field.

The Nets did bury 13 3-pointers, including four by Clowney, who finished with 19 points, but it wasn’t enough.

“We shot the 3 well, but like I said, turnovers into points,” noted Fernández as the Heat turned 15 Brooklyn giveaways into 23 points.

Johnson also put up 19 points, continuing to enhance his value on the NBA trade market. The Nets dealt point guard Dennis Schröder to Golden State last week for a pair of players and future draft considerations.

The 6-foot-8 Johnson, averaging a career-high 19.1 points per contest, went 7-of-15 from the floor, including a trio of shots from beyond the arc.

His leadership, like Schröder’s before him, has been instrumental in keeping the Nets together during a tumultuous rebuilding season.

“I liked the fact that CJ, especially when you’re hitting adversity, he’s huddling all his teammates up at the free-throw line,” Fernández said.

Keon Johnson had 15 points and Tyrese Martin scored 14 off the bench for Brooklyn, which will try to rebound Thursday night in Milwaukee.

“I’m happy with some of the things that we’ve seen, but obviously not happy with losing.” said Fernández. “We have to go on and think about the next one.”

Tip-off at the Fiserv Forum is slated for 8 p.m.

Until then, Fernández can at least take heart in knowing his team didn’t “quit”, as he has accused them periodically during this slide out of contention in the Eastern Conference.

“The way we fought and competed it was a positive,” he said. “I want to think positive. I want to see guys growing. Shooting 38 percent from the field is not good enough. … You just gotta believe in the process.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the red-hot Bucks will be waiting for the Nets in Milwaukee on Thursday night. AP Photo by Heather Khalifa

NOTHING BUT NET: Six of Brooklyn’s eight losses since a three-game winning streak in November got them to 10-11 have been by 10 points or more. … The Nets are still waiting for leading scorer Cam Thomas (hamstring), forward Ziaire Williams (knee) and power forward Dorian Finney-Smith (calf) to return to action. Also, Brooklyn found out over the weekend that reserve forward Trendon Watford would be re-evaluated in about a week for a left hamstring strain he suffered on Dec. 16 vs. Cleveland. Fernández did indicate that Thomas and Williams could be back soon. “They played 5-on-5 today, and did a great job, so we’ll see how they feel after,” he revealed. “That’s part of the process there. And right now it seems like they’re getting close.”… The Nets will make a brief pit stop at Barclays on Friday night to host San Antonio before embarking on a three-game trip through Orlando, Toronto and a return trip to Milwaukee.