The Nets lost 125-108 in Milwaukee on Friday in a result that will greatly enhance their lottery chances next month.
Brooklyn (20-61) stayed third in the race to the bottom with just one game left, their regular season finale Sunday in Toronto.
They’re a game behind second-place Indiana, but moved 1 ½ games clear of both Utah and Sacramento, pending the former’s tilt against Memphis and the latter’s matchup against visiting Golden State.
The Nets allowed 55.6 percent shooting, with AJ Green pouring in a game-high 35 points on 11-of-16 from deep and Cormac Ryan adding 28.
Brooklyn guard Tyson Etienne had 15 of his career-high 23 points in the first quarter. Malachi Smith added career-highs of 19 points and ten assists, along with a career-high tying eight rebounds for the Nets, who played without Michael Porter Jr., Egor Demin, Nic Claxton, Noah Clowney, Drake Powell, Josh Minott, Terance Mann, Day’Ron Sharpe, Ziaire Williams and Danny Wolf.
Smith is the first rookie in team history with at least 15 points, 10 assists and no turnovers in a game.
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a 13th straight game, theoretically with a hyperextended left knee and bruised bone, but really because of a busted relationship with the Bucks and Milwaukee’s tanking.
For a change, though, the Nets would not be out-tanked.