Nets’ late-game struggles continue in brutal loss to Celtics

When the Nets opened a nine-point lead over the Celtics in the first quarter Tuesday, maybe it seemed possible they’d win consecutive games for the first time this season.

And Michael Porter Jr.’s 3-pointer early in the fourth put the Nets up again.

But that was the last basket the Nets made until 1:56 to go, as their issues closing out games 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.

Not only did the defeat drop the Nets to 2-12 on the season, it also dropped them to 0-7 in Brooklyn, matching the longest home losing streak in franchise history, previously set in the 2009-10 season. 

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That ugly year landed the Nets the third pick in the NBA draft and they ended up with Derrick Favors.

They’re hoping for a more impactful player this time around, as they tank for a second straight year, 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 3-point range in the first half, as the Nets trailed by just a point at halftime.

And Porter Jr., coming off a well-rounded game with 34 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, put up 25 points and six rebounds.

But even with Porter, what the Nets don’t have is 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, and mostly rebuilding for the future, Boston had too much firepower for the Nets, having won three of their previous four games and seven of 11 after opening the season 0-3.