The Nets know close games, and the Nets know how Spencer Dinwiddie can step up down the stretch. 

Sunday evening brought both situations yet again — but not a familiar result. 

After going on 10-0 run in the first quarter, Miami closed out in a similar fashion to steal a three-point win after the Nets led by seven with 1:45 remaining. Jimmy Butler had a strong closeout performance both offensively and defensively, making some clutch free throws to bring Miami over the top. 

It was a disappointing finish for Brooklyn after role players stepped up in both familiar and breakout fashion against a talented Heat team. While Dinwiddie was a scoring machine in the first half, racking up 16 points, Brooklyn was in the picture of a game with 24 lead changes and 12 ties thanks to Joe Harris and David Nwaba providing a needed boost. 

After eight 20+ point games in his last nine, Dinwiddie is known to be Brooklyn’s go-to scorer while Kyrie Irving continues to work towards contact play. Dinwiddie has been Mr. Clutch, but Harris also stepped up with a season-high 25 points and a fiery energy added to the game with each made bucket. 

SPENCE AND JOE: CLUTCH ? pic.twitter.com/DomifRvZ7B

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 1, 2019

While Harris can get the crowd on its feet, they also wished his open three-pointer at the top of the key went down to give the Nets a cushion — a great look from a hot hand that just did not fall. The game cannot be placed on that missed shot, or Dinwiddie’s last possession where time ran out, but it showed how the Nets had opportunities down the stretch and could not capitalize. 

A meager third quarter did not help Brooklyn’s chances, either. The offense became sloppy, committing eight of the team’s 12 total turnovers and scoring just 16 points after a 65-point first half. The Nets picked up the pace throughout the first half, and let up on it too early to close things out. 

One area Brooklyn knew it had to be competitive in was rebounding against a skilled team in the Heat. While Miami only out-rebounded the Nets by three, the Heat secured 16 offensive rebounds compared to Brooklyn’s nine. 

Add that to Miami’s 28 free throw attempts compared to Brooklyn’s 16, and the Heat just capitalized more on their chances down the stretch.

With the loss, the Nets drop back to .500 at 10-10 and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The team will get a bit of a break before its next game on Wednesday against the Hawks.

Brooklyn has played more close games than any other team in the NBA (14), ones within five points with less than five minutes remaining. The Nets have improved on late-game situations, and the second unit gave Brooklyn the foundation to close out, but Miami made the right moves powered by Butler (20) and Goran Dragic (24).

The Nets have improved in late-game situations, but with nearly three-quarters of the team’s contests so far taking place within striking distance in the final moments, the Nets are learning plenty of lessons in Irving and Caris LeVert’s stead.