Brooklyn had it. 

The Nets looked like they had finally turned that elusive corner. Caris LeVert was back in peak form, the ball was moving and chemistry was showing through in Brooklyn’s third game in four days.

But the fourth quarter came to bite again.

Chris Paul came alive from mid-range and forced Brooklyn, who led by as many as seven points down the stretch, to fight to keep its edge. While the Nets had been reeling on a six-game losing streak heading into Tuesday’s contest, the squad emitted a different sense of confidence with LeVert scoring and facilitating. 

Then, in a flash, Brooklyn squandered multiple opportunities and fell flat in a LeVert-less overtime period.

Lead, lost. Free throw, missed. Game-winner, off. 

This game was beyond “winnable” for Brooklyn — it was theirs to take. The offense continues to struggle, scoring just two points in overtime to Oklahoma City’s 10. 

At the head of Brooklyn’s offensive struggles against the Thunder was Spencer Dinwiddie. After getting in foul trouble and scoring zero points in the first half, Dinwiddie later missed a free throw that would have broken the tie game with 11.7 seconds left after Dennis Schroeder committed an away-from-play foul. Dinwiddie then held onto the ball for the final shot in regulation, missed a floater and continued that cold streak in overtime.

Still, Dinwiddie’s newfound aggression in the second half played a part in Brooklyn breaking into OKC’s nine-point lead. His downhill attack after a talking-to from Kenny Atkinson gave some life to the Nets’ tempo. 

Dinwiddie was not the only player who struggled offensively, including Joe Harris, who went 1-of-7 from three. If just one of them played to their averages, the Nets could have walked away winners. 

On the flip side, Brooklyn was off to a quick start to the game after Taurean Prince wasted no time coming out of his slump. He was 4-for-4 from three in a flash early in the first quarter set the tone for the Nets to remain competitive throughout. 

Jarrett Allen also injected some life and energy into the matchup. Want to know how? Just watch. 

"THAT'S A MAN'S JAM!" – Ian Eagle@_bigjayy_ THROWS IT DOWN! #NETSonYES LIVE https://t.co/6kCBHYyD1i pic.twitter.com/1ScfgIjtxi

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) January 8, 2020

There is more where that came from, but we will get to that in Allen’s grade.

Through Allen, the Nets earned a 56-36 advantage in points in the paint, which was needed in an 11-of-37 showing from three-point range. OKC also got to the line more often, recording 29 free throw attempts to Brooklyn’s 16.

The Thunder finished the game on an 18-4 run spanning regulation and overtime, largely on the back of Paul making difficult shots and Brooklyn committing turnovers and shooting poorly. In Paul, the Nets saw exactly what they are missing — closeout players. Dinwiddie had the chance this time, and LeVert was on a minutes restriction and did not see overtime.

One thing is for sure — the Nets are gaining learning lessons abound. A seven-game skid is something to “embrace,” as Atkinson said after the game, but the Nets have not shown yet that they are capable of putting their new lessons to good use. LeVert’s minutes restriction, and Brooklyn’s overall poor offense, did not help, and another test awaits Friday against the Miami Heat.

Due to the missed opportunities, this loss is up high on the list for most disappointing of the season. The Nets know what they need to do better — how much longer until they can put it together for 48 minutes (and OT)?