The Nets threw haymakers with the defending champions on Friday then built a 14-point lead against the last undefeated team in the NBA on Saturday. But despite another inspired performance, they fell 105-100 to the Cleveland Cavaliers and have now lost two straight games.
Brooklyn fell to 4-5 in the loss. Cleveland improved to 11-0 and remains the only unbeaten team in the league.
After falling behind by 15 points with 6:28 left in the first half, Brooklyn responded with an extended 30-5 run that stretched deep into the third quarter. The Nets outscored Cleveland 27-13 in the third quarter, their biggest margin in any quarter this season (+14) and allowed the fewest points in any quarter this season (13).
Cleveland did not score its first points of the third quarter until Evan Mobley threw down a dunk 7:16 left.
However, similar to Friday’s loss to Boston, the Nets struggled to close the game out and were ultimately outplayed down the stretch. The Cavaliers outscored them 35-18 in the final frame and ended the game on a 16-14.
Dennis Schröder (22), Cam Thomas (22) and Cam Johnson (23) marked the second time three Nets players have scored at least to point in a game this season. All five starters reached double figures in scoring and Thomas finished with a season-high six assists.
Mobley led the Cavaliers with 23 points and Donovan Mitchell added 22 points. Cleveland shot 54.1% from the field, scored 56 points in the paint and scored 26 points off 20 Brooklyn turnovers.
The Nets will finish their current three-game road trip on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans.