Bigfoot, UFOs, the Zodiac Killer, and the Nets’ inability to win two straight games — some of life’s biggest unsolved mysteries.

The Nets, who won convincingly in Phoenix on Friday, had another fantastic opportunity to just simply put together back-to-back efforts. However, after falling behind 12-2 with both Brook Lopez + Thaddeus Young in foul trouble, things were looking dire (again) out West.

However, the Nets would fight back in spite of their horrendous 11-turnover half, led in part by Thomas Robinson and Willie Reed. In what must be considered an extended tryout between now and April for the forwards, they can be credited with pulling the Nets back from the dark depths of ugly basketball they so often give into.

It’s tough though, the Nets didn’t play particularly well on the defensive end and the Jazz even out-did them on turnover front. And yet, there they were, even after nearly 8 (!) first half minutes for Sergey Karasev, the Nets were up by five and looking like strong candidates to win a very ugly game.

Strong third quarter showings from Wayne Ellington and Young helped the Nets sustain their slim lead from start to finish. Even Donald Sloan was fearlessly taking the ball at Rudy Gobert, but he, Derrick Favors, and Gordon Hayward would not go down easy. For the Nets, it was a quality offensive night, actually — 47% from the field, 50% (!) from three, and only had 8 turnovers (little victories) in the final 24 minutes. Without any stand-out stars, this was a true team effort, displaying a grind-n-grind quality that often avoids this Nets team.

Despite Lopez’s struggles, a typical sign that the Nets would be trailing, they, somehow, led by 9 going into the fourth. By way of Ellington’s third three-pointer and another strong 5 minute stretch by Sergey Karasev (+12!), they looked more settled than a Jazz team that couldn’t take care of the ball (21 turnovers). Some late punches from Chris Johnson and Rodney Hood pulled the Jazz within single-digits and more untimely Larkin turnovers cut it even closer.

However, more heroics for Young (against a very legit Jazz frontcourt) put the pressure back on Utah to keep pace. With just a minute left, Lopez blocked a shot, turned it over on the fastbreak, and then Hayward promptly hit a three-pointer to make it a one-possession game.

Welp.

To make up for the turnover, Lopez took Gobert off the dribble, dunked on him, and pushed the Nets’ lead up to five. After the two teams traded free throws (including Hood being fouled on a three-pointer and Sloan and Ellington both missing gimmes of their own), Joe Ingles raced down court and missed the game-winning three.

Phew.

It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t pretty but, for once, the Nets can close out this mystery. Well, that is until they play Chris Paul next, but we’ll save that for another day.