Nets defeat Pistons, worst in NBA, with ferocious late rally

NBA

by brian lewis

The Nets may have had a disappointing season, but that doesn't mean they can't show some pride until the end.

Finally, they showed some of it at the end of the year and in a 113-103 come-from-behind victory over the Pistons late Saturday.

Trailing by 15 points with just over seven minutes left in the game, the Nets flipped the script with a 29-4 onslaught in front of a packed Barclays Center crowd of 17,732.

The Nets have won five of their past seven games and have a record of 31-47.

They have been eliminated from postseason contention and are clearly falling short of their goals.

But with four more dates scheduled, at least we can build momentum heading into the offseason and hopefully into next season.

Cam Thomas had a game-high 32 points, six rebounds and five assists.

“I'm just trying to play honestly for the culture and win games,” Thomas said in an on-court television interview.

Dennis Schroder added 24 points and six assists, and 19-year-old rookie Noah Clowney had his second consecutive strong performance with 17 points and six boards off the bench.

Interim coach Kevin Ollie emphasized there is plenty to play for.

“We're trying to build a championship character, we're trying to build a competitive character,” Oley said. “It's just about looking out for each other and just competing no matter what the outcome is. We're not worried about the outcome. We're worried about understanding it. That's what our competitors do.

“It doesn't matter whether you're in or not because you're going to get another chance to put on a Brooklyn jersey. That's all that matters. That's how we have to play.”

The Pistons (13-65) are the worst team in the NBA.

They have lost 12 of their last 13 games, including a blowout loss at Memphis the night before.

However, the Nets looked tired from the start.

With 7 minutes and 56 seconds left in the first half, Chaimezi Metu's short hook shot put them behind 44-25.

After Marcus Sasser stood up and made a 3-pointer that went over two nets, Thomas received a body from Jaden Ivey and was knocked down on his way to the Detroit standout's short jumper.

The Nets trailed by 17 points before fighting back.

Jaylen Nowell's 3-pointer left the Nets in a 99-84 hole with 7:49 left. But they fought back with a 29-4 onslaught.

Clowney's 3-pointer from the right corner pulled the Nets within 103-99.

Then, after blocking Troy Brown Jr., Nic Claxton drew an offensive foul on James Wiseman, giving the Nets the ball.

Schroder's go-ahead 3-pointer put the Nets up 104-103 with 2:54 left, and after forcing a shot clock violation on the defensive stand, Schroder made a pair at the line.

Schroder's 12-foot jumper extended the lead to 108-103.

The Pistons appeared to have broken through the blitz until Claxton was whistled for violating the goaltender on Brown's hook shot with 1:03 left in regulation.

However, as a result of the review, the decision was reversed and it was recognized that the Nets had won the seventh block in the second half.

Jalen Wilson added another 3-pointer to add to the spark.