The Brooklyn Nets and Charlotte Hornets are coming off perhaps the one strangest games in the history of either franchise. That double-overtime thriller on Wednesday ended with a Brooklyn victory, propelling them to spot just a half game out of the playoffs. Tonight, both teams faced off for the second half of the home-and-home. For Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets, this would be treated as a revenge game — ultimately, that’s exactly what they got.

In other words, the Nets — yes, these Brooklyn Nets — are a relevant basketball team. But for the Nets to continue their winning ways tonight, they’d need to contain both Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb, a backcourt duo that combined for 66 points earlier this week.

Unfortunately, the Nets had no answer for the Hornets in the opening quarter.

Charlotte came out firing, jumping out to a 20-point lead in the first quarter as Lamb and Walker had their way against a fatigued defense. Even Cody Zeller, who struggled immensely in the first contest, was excelling, scoring ten of his own in the first quarter. The Hornets looked like a team who wanted to distinguish themselves from the Nets.

To be generous, the Nets shot themselves in the foot in the first quarter. The starters were not getting it done both sides of the ball. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson attempted and missed three three-pointers, while Joe Harris had zero shots attempts in the first.

Yes, it was that kind of game.

Brooklyn’s first quarter woes were felt by the entire team. Jarrett Allen was called for two illegal screens and two travels. The Nets were 6-for-25 from the field, going 0-for-7 from deep. However, the reserves, particularly DeMarre Carroll, provided a nice lift off the bench. The deficit was narrowed to 16 at the end of the first.

But when down by double-digits this season, the Nets have gone 1-13 in those games. Would they turn the tide tonight?

Brooklyn’s mentality changed in the second quarter. They slowed the pace and moved the ball around the perimeter, getting the best shot possible. A D’Angelo Russell three trimmed the lead down to just eight with under seven minutes to go in the second quarter. The second unit, including Russell, made the resurgence possible. Brooklyn trimmed Charlotte’s lead to 12 at the half, allowing ample room for the Nets to make it a game.

The Hornets took control of the third quarter, but the Nets had an answer, and his name is Shabazz Napier. Napier’s energy and craftiness helped the Nets make it only an eight-point deficit entering the fourth.

And with just over seven minutes remaining in the game, Brooklyn trailed by five thanks to Napier’s eleven points and a perfect field goal percentage.

Yes, you read that correctly.

But Brooklyn couldn’t cap off the comeback, as they never got closer than five points of the Charlotte lead. Tony Parker looked ten years younger, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter. In the end, the future Hall of Famer had an answer for each Brooklyn basket.

The Nets couldn’t buy a three-pointer tonight, going a paltry 4-for-27 from downtown. Brooklyn’s shooting was a problem inside the arc as well, as they shot under forty percent from the field. However, Brooklyn did get to the free throw line at a high rate, going 27-for-30. The turnover problem continued as well, committing 14 turnovers against a team with a below-average defense.

Brooklyn fought hard to get back into the game but ended up losing 100-87. — it happens. There will be let-offs and the Nets still remain one of the NBA’s hottest teams. Luckily, there’s little time to dwell as the Nets must focus their attention on the dangerous Milwaukee Bucks, who they play in less than 24 hours.