BROOKLYN NETS

When the Nets and Hornets teams have faced off this season, fireworks followed. Whether it was D’Angelo Russell dropping 40 or Joe Harris laying the ball in to win in double-overtime, the games were always entertaining. With both teams fighting for the playoffs, the pressure was on in Brooklyn.

This time, the Nets fell flat.

In a first quarter where 63 combined points were scored, DeMarre Carroll was the only player on either team who scored in double digits. It was the first sign of how the game would continue: with a great team effort on offense, but defense optional.

After a tight start to the game, fans saw an unwelcome sight midway through the second quarter — a roster that looked like the team that lost eight games in a row earlier this season. Brooklyn delivered the Hornets the ball on a silver platter multiple times while escorting them to the paint where they then deposited it in the hoop at their convenience. This stretch led to a 23-5 run for Charlotte.

While this was courteous for the Nets to do, it is obviously in no way conducive to winning NBA basketball games, especially with a fully healthy roster.

The Nets were lucky to limp into halftime only trailing by 18 points. And when they came out of the tunnel to start the second half, they hadn’t fixed the limp, as it looked like the Hornets were going to quickly put the Nets out of their misery.

Then a miracle appeared on the horizon for the Nets in the form of a lineup featuring Rodions Kurucs and Rondae-Hollis Jefferson. Their defensive flexibility allowed Brooklyn to switch on nearly every screen, giving the Hornets’ offense tougher looks. Those two worked together to bring the deficit back to single digits after it had exceeded 20.

But the mirage proved too good to be true and was quickly replaced by the reality that the Nets were going to lose this game with legitimate playoff implications.

If the Nets won this game, it would have given them a 3-1 series lead over the Hornets, which would have effectively put them an extra game ahead in the standings. With their loss, the series is instead tied at 2-2.

The problem with that is, for example, if Brooklyn and Charlotte are tied for the 8th seed at the end of the regular season, the next tiebreaker after the head-to-head record is that if one of the teams won their division, they get the spot. The Nets have the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics ahead of them in their division. The Hornets’ only competition is the Orlando Magic.

If that scenario were to occur — knock on wood — then the Nets would have tonight’s lackluster showing to thank for it.