Nets' offensive woes continue in loss to Donovan Mitchell and Cavaliers in Paris
The Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell, left, drives to the basket during an NBA game against the Nets at the Accor Arena in Paris on Thursday. Credit: AP/Christophe Ena
The Nets went to France looking to put on a show for the NBA Paris Game. They instead found themselves as background for Donovan Mitchell’s star performance.
Mitchell scored a season-high 45 points as the Nets lost, 111-102, to the Cavaliers at Accor Arena. His 21 fourth-quarter points stopped the Nets’ rally from a 26-point second-half deficit.
Twice the Nets cut the lead to seven points in the fourth quarter, and both times Mitchell answered with long three-pointers. At one point, he scored 14 consecutive points for the Cavaliers, a reminder of how his late three-pointer sunk the Nets in the season opener at Barclays Center.
“We made some adjustments defensively to be more aggressive with him but his ability to just score baskets at the right time was really good for Cleveland,” coach Jacque Vaughn told reporters.
On the flip side, the Nets lost for the 12th time in 15 games because of their inability to score in the first half. They had only 34 points at halftime, which tied a season low set Jan. 2 at New Orleans.
The Nets had more turnovers (13) than made field goals (12) while shooting 33.3% in the first half. They trailed 16-4 as Mitchell scored 10 of the Cavaliers’ points.
Cam Thomas and Lonnie Walker were the only two Nets to make multiple field goals by halftime. Thomas had 10 points in the first quarter and finished with 26, sharing the team high with Mikal Bridges.
But despite 68 second-half points, familiar offensive issues reappeared for the Nets. They were 8-for-27 on three-pointers and missed eight free throws, all in the second half. Bridges scored 20 points in the second half but finished the game shooting 6-for-18.
“We got to get more movement on the offensive end instead of being stagnant so the other teams can’t just load up,” Thomas said. “Cleveland was just loading up on us and it’s tough for anybody to drive against or get downhill on.”
The Nets’ starters were mostly hampered by poor shooting or sickness. Cam Johnson had a season-low three points on 1-for-7 shooting. Spencer Dinwiddie had two points in 16 minutes as he was listed as questionable pregame due to illness.
Dorian Finney-Smith attempted just one field goal in 14 minutes and didn’t return after exiting in the third quarter because of illness.
Vaughn said Dinwiddie received an IV pregame and Finney-Smith received one during the game.
Thomas’ and Walker’s strong play, Vaughn added, led to Johnson playing only 23 minutes, his fewest since playing 22 on Dec. 14 at Denver. Walker had 20 points in his third game since returning from injury.
The Cavaliers, who won their fourth consecutive game, countered with former Nets Caris LeVert, who had 21 points off the bench, and Jarrett Allen, who had 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.
With Day’Ron Sharpe out with a knee injury, the Nets went small in their frontcourt behind Nic Claxton. Finney-Smith and Trendon Watford played minutes at center along with Harry Giles III. It didn’t stop the Cavaliers from taking advantage as they turned 12 offensive rebounds in 18 second- chance points.
It was just more issues to compound a growing backward slide. The Nets are six games under .500 for the first time since March 2020. They lack the consistent high-end firepower the Cavaliers have with Mitchell.
In the Eastern Conference, the Nets remain in 10th place, the last play-in tournament spot, but are just .004 percentage points ahead of the Hawks. Things don’t get easier as six of the Nets’ next seven games are against teams that entered Thursday at .500 or better.
The Nets fly home Friday but they’re no closer to finding answers to fix their issues than they were when they left for Paris this week.
Evan Barnes covers the Nets for Newsday. He previously covered Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
