When the Nets opened a nine-point lead over the Celtics in the first quarter on Tuesday, it may have seemed possible that they would win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
And Michael Porter Jr.’s three-pointer. early in the fourth put the Nets back in front.
But that was the last basket the Nets made until 1:56 to go, as their closeout problems continued in a 113-99 loss as even the undermanned Celtics proved to be too much at Barclays Center.
Boston pulled away midway through the fourth with an 18-3 run.
The loss not only dropped the Nets to 2-12 on the season, but also to 0-7 in Brooklyn, matching the longest home losing streak in franchise history, set earlier in the 2009-10 season.
That ugly year netted the Nets the third pick in the NBA draft, and they ended up with Derrick Favors.
They’ll be hoping for a more impactful player this time around as they tank for the second year in a row, with only the Pacers and Wizards entering Tuesday with fewer losses than the Nets.
There were some positive signs for the Nets, as rookie Egor Demin was hot from three-point range in the first half, while the Nets trailed by just one point at halftime.
And Porter Jr., who had a well-rounded game with 34 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, scored 25 points and six rebounds.
But even with Porter, the Nets don’t have a player like Jaylen Brown, who had 17 points in the third after being held to six in the first half and finished with a game-high 29 points.
And even without Jayson Tatum, out with a torn Achilles tendon and largely rebuilding for the future, Boston had too much firepower for the Nets after winning three of its previous four games and seven of 11 after opening the season 0-3.
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