The ragtag Nets (0-8) continued their winless streak to start the season, as they fell in another heartbreaker to the Philadelphia 76ers (4-4) 82-79 in New Jersey tonight.
- The Nets actually had three chances to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds of the game, but couldn’t capitalize, most notably on the last play of the game when Rafer Alston threw the ball to Philly on the inbounds pass on an apparent miscommunication with Bobby Simmons.
- In a questionable play, Brook Lopez looked like he got hammered by Samuel Dalembert with under 20 seconds left and the Nets down 1, but doesn’t get the call.
- In his first career start, Terrence Williams had 10 points and 12 rebounds, but missed a long-two in the closing seconds that could have tied the game.
- Brook Lopez led all Nets in scoring and rebounding, getting 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. He even got to showcase his Devin Harris-esque dribble-drive in the fourth quarter.
- Trenton Hassell continues to be a pleasant surprise, chipping in with 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
- Josh Boone was a spark, especially on the defensive end as he grabbed 8 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.
- Bobby Simmons continues to redeem himself with 11 points off the bench, though he was 1-5 from three-point land.
- On the Sixers side, Thaddeus Young had a nice bounce back game with 20 points.
- The Nets did a decent job taking care of the ball (14 turnovers) and outrebounded the Sixers 47-46, but at the end of the day they just didn’t have a single guy down the stretch who could hit the “big shot.”
- Next up on the Nets schedule is a two-game trip in Florida against the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat.
