Nets nearly erase 25-point deficit but come up short against Cavaliers

"How would the Nets respond after a lackluster defensive effort in Wednesday's season opener at Charlotte? Early on, it was hardly the start head coach Jordi Fernández had hoped for. Down the stretch, it was too little and too late, even as Brooklyn nearly pulled off an improbable 25-point comeback."

"Despite an inspired fourth-quarter rally, the Nets came up just short, falling to 0-2 on the young season after a 131-124 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday at Barclays Center. Rookies Drake Powell and Danny Wolf sat out as they continue to recover from ankle injuries, but depth wasn't the issue. For the second straight outing, early lapses in effort and defensive communication put Brooklyn in a hole it couldn't quite climb out of."

Brooklyn fell 131-124 to the Cleveland Cavaliers after mounting a late rally that nearly erased a 25-point deficit. Early defensive breakdowns and poor communication allowed Cleveland to shoot efficiently and build leads of 17, 21 and 25 points. The Nets committed numerous turnovers, including nine in the opening quarter, while permitting high opponent shooting percentages. Rookies Drake Powell and Danny Wolf missed the game recovering from ankle injuries, but roster depth was not identified as the primary problem. A spirited fourth-quarter push narrowed the gap but came too late to change the result.

Read at New York Daily News