The Brooklyn Nets headed into Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers having already achieved an impressive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. To make matters worse, the Nets were well on their way to ending their west coast road trip by beating the Clippers. That is until the second half of the fourth quarter happened.
On Sunday, Brooklyn lost to 125-114 and while the Nets came into this contest as double-digit underdogs, the loss is worst than it appears. Brooklyn looked like they were on the way to another upset victory as they were leading the Clippers 99-84 going into the fourth quarter.
However, the fourth quarter presented a different issue for the Nets as they found themselves on the other side of a run that essentially allowed Los Angeles to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The Clippers went on to win the fourth quarter 41-15 as an utter domination by Los Angeles when it became winning time.
Nets guard Mikal Bridges, who put up 26 points, sixth rebounds, and five assists in the loss, spoke about what led to the startling collapse in the period. According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Bridges noted how the Clippers went small and switched on every screen, virtually locking down Brooklyn’s offense to a halt.
He also noted that the Nets did not know how to handle that kind of defensive scheme which was concerning to hear to say the least.
Mikal Bridges: "They went small, redded everything. Then we were stuck, didn’t know what to do with…how to break it.” To me that's a damning indictment this late. The #Nets were a switching team all last year and used to red a ton the season before. Not unfamiliar stuff.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 22, 2024
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