LeVert’s blistering 43 points can’t rescue Nets
The Nets already had lost their two stars before they got to Memphis, Tenn. Then they lost to the Grizzlies despite Caris LeVert playing like a star himself.
The Nets dug a huge hole in the first half before a LeVert-led rally fell short in the second, falling 115-110 at FedEx Forum.
“We just forced a couple plays, took it into a crowd in transition, maybe drove the ball a little impatiently and got blocked, things like that where we could’ve just ran the offense, stayed patient and got better looks,” Nets coach Steve Nash said.
“Sometimes that happens. We fought all the way back with a big adrenaline rush, and you get a little carried away at times. We just didn’t have the poise when we were up to manage that lead.”
LeVert poured in 43 points, including 19 in the third quarter. It’s the Nets’ highest total this season and included a careerhigh 7-of-9 from deep. But the Nets — playing without Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie or Tyler Johnson — were too sloppy down the stretch to cash in.
Leading 104-102, the Nets went cold and endured a 9-0 run to fall to 5-5.
“They executed a little bit better than we did,” LeVert said. “I turned the ball over a couple of times. That’s how it is when you’re climbing back into a game. You use a lot of energy to climb back into it. That’s why we’ve got to play better earlier in the game. We’ll learn from this.”
Taurean Prince had 16 points. But shorthanded now with reserves forced to start, the bench got dominated other than Joe Harris (13 points).
Dillon Brooks had 24 for Memphis.
➤ The Nets were without Durant and Johnson because of NBA-mandated quarantines, though both players have tested negative for COVID-19.
Nevertheless, the Netes still played, even though Seth Curry’s positive COVID-19 test came in right in the middle of a game between his 76ers and the Nets at Barclays Center the night before.