Nets embarrassed by Pistons in 53-point shellacking to end road trip

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The Nets closed out this season-long road trip getting pummeled by the Pistons, beaten 130-77 before 19,899 at Little Caesars Arena.

Brooklyn coughed up a 19-0 run, trailed by as much as 55 and were thoroughly hammered to bring a merciful end to this five-game trek.

With Michael Porter Jr. out for personal reasons, the Nets embarrassed themselves offensively.

They shot just 32.9 percent and 7-of-31 from 3-point range, bullied by a physical Detroit defense.

Brooklyn watched the Pistons galavant up and down the court, dunk all over them and make a mockery of the contest.

The lack of compete level will be galling to the staff.

No Net managed more than 12 points, with Cam Thomas and Drake Powell sharing team-high honors off the bench.

About the only silver lining was the Nets (13-35) keeping pace at fifth in the lottery race, now ½ game behind Washington and Indiana.


Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against a Detroit Pistons player.
Nic Claxton looks to move the ball during the Nets’ Feb. 1 loss to the Pistons. NBAE via Getty Images

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren dunks in the second half against the Brooklyn Nets.
Jalen Duren dunks during the Pistons’ Feb. 1 win against the Nets. Imagn Images

They’re 1 ½ games ahead of sixth-place Utah.

As hard as it is to believe looking at the lopsided final score, Brooklyn actually started fairly well.

They had an early five-point edge, and Thomas hit a 3-pointer off a Ben Saraf feed to have them down just 33-32 with 9:51 left in the half.

But they coughed up an extended 47-12 run that spanned intermission.

Thomas’ turnover led to a buzzer-beating basket at the half, and the Nets allowed 19 unanswered to fall behind 80-44 on a bucket by Jalen Duren (game-high 21 points, 10 rebounds) with 7:55 left in the third quarter.

The deficit swelled to 55 in the fourth that was pure garbage time.

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