Despite Michael Porter Jr.’s lackluster shooting performance, hitting just 10 of his 24 attempts, the Brooklyn Nets found themselves struggling to produce consistent offense, ultimately succumbing to the Miami Heat with a 106-95 loss on Thursday night at the Barclays Center.
Having not played since Sunday, the defeat marked Brooklyn’s descent to a 7-19 record for the season. Miami capitalized on crucial moments, though the outcome wasn’t settled at the charity stripe until later stages, with both teams attempting a combined total of just 30 free throws.
The Heat seized control early in the game, energized by Norman Powell’s blazing start. Powell scored 10 points on a flawless 4-for-4 shooting spree in the initial minutes. Contributing to the early momentum, rookie Kel’el Ware chipped in with eight rapid points on 4-of-5 shooting, prompting Nets head coach Jordi Fernández to deploy Drake Powell, their defensive ace, to halt Miami’s offensive surge.
Unfortunately, Powell’s defensive stint was cut short. Within just four minutes on the court, he was involved in a collision that left him limping and needing assistance to the bench. After a timeout, the Nets confirmed that Powell would sit out the rest of the game due to a right ankle sprain, an injury he has already suffered twice this season.
Brooklyn managed to withstand the early onslaught despite a shaky start. Though shooting 42.3%, allowing six second-chance points, and being outscored 6-0 on fast breaks, they kept the game within reach. After trailing by as much as 11 points, the Nets managed to close the first quarter close behind at 30-27.
Down by seven with 6:49 left in the second quarter, Porter hit a crucial 10-foot jumper that ignited a swift scoring run. Nic Claxton followed with a put-back shot, and Noah Clowney found an opening for an easy basket, quickly narrowing Miami’s lead to just one point.
Moments later, though, Clowney went down after Simone Fontecchio fell into his knee, leaving the forward hobbling as he made his way to the bench. He didn’t return before halftime, with rookie Danny Wolf checking in to replace him.
Miami regrouped from there and carried a 54-49 lead into the locker room, aided by a deep heave at the buzzer from Powell that dropped from 41 feet. Powell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. combined for 28 points in the first half as the Heat shot 48.9%, while Brooklyn struggled to find a rhythm, shooting 40.4% before the break.
Clowney’s return to start the second half steadied Brooklyn, but the margin for error remained slim. The Nets shot just 39.1% in the third quarter and still found a way to win it 24-23, leaning on second-chance opportunities and perfect shooting at the free throw line. But after Brooklyn briefly tied the game late, Miami answered, closing the quarter on a 6-2 run to take a four-point advantage into the final frame.
Miami won the fourth quarter 29-22 and pulled away behind a 12-for-14 effort at the free throw line.
Porter led the Nets with 28 points but struggled with efficiency and he wasn’t alone. Claxton finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while rookie Egor Demin added 14 points as Brooklyn shot 38.8% as a team. Clowney had a tough night, too, going 2-for-13 from the field and 0-for-9 from 3-point range.
Powell paced Miami with 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting, one of four Heat players to score in double figures.
Brooklyn will try to bounce back Sunday when it hosts the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center.
