Jarrett Jack’s defensive moves with nearly 30 seconds left in regulation panicked Atlanta’s Schroder

The Brooklyn Nets have been off to a rough start for the 2015-15 NBA Season. However, last night offered a glimpse of hope. The Nets toughed it out and survived a nail-biting, 90-88 win over the Atlanta Hawks, one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. And they did it all on the defensive end of the court when it counted the most.

After Jarrett Jack drained a jumper, tying the game at 88-all with 33.3 seconds until the end of regulation, Jack nearly forced a turnover from Hawks, Dennis Schroder on the ensuing possession. With the Hawks shot-clock expiring, Jack's defense compelled Schroder to dribble into no man's land, using the baseline as an extra defender. A panicking Schroder almost lost the ball and had to resort to a rushed floater, which was rebounded by Paul Millsap, who was blocked by Brook Lopez, on his attempt to tie the game.

The Nets defense, when it was needed the most, got a stop, giving the team an opportunity to win the game, which was executed by Thaddeus Young, who sank two free-throws after being fouled on the fastbreak. And that particular sequence involving Schroder mirrored the entire game. Atlanta's, Spurs-like makeup of a team scored 10-less points than they are used to, averaging 101.6 points per game, the 11th best in the league, according to ESPN.com.

Mike Budenholzer's team committed 20 turnovers, the most they've committed this year in a single game.

"I give Brooklyn credit," said Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer. "They played well. They forced the turnovers. We didn't take care of the ball. So we're going to have to clean that up."

The win, which improved the Nets record to (2-9), exhibited the solution to their season, which has been disastrous to say the least and it all derives from the defensive side of the ball.

As a team, the Nets racked up 14 steals and seven blocks which are the type of production that will help the Nets remain in games against teams with superior talent. Although their defense was the star of the game, five players scored in double figures, led by Lopez's double-double, 24-10. Shane Larkin, in his first season with the Nets, had another great game, posting 14 points and Joe Johnson nearly reached a triple-double in 13 points, 9 assists, and seven rebounds.

Nets Loss: It doesn’t help that Joe Johnson scored one point less than Jarrett Jack

In this 2015-16 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets haven't gotten off to the start they envisioned. In three games, the Nets are winless, losing to the likes of the Chicago Bulls, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Memphis Grizzlies, a tough start for any NBA team. Fortunately for the Nets, the Milwaukee Bucks, their opponent on Monday night were winless as well but it didn't matter.

The Nets offensive execution crumbled in the fourth quarter and the Bucks capitalized on their mistakes, pulling out a 103-96 win, their first of the season. The Nets dropped their 4th straight (0-4) and are still looking for answers. Despite an ugly first half on both sides of the ball, the Nets improved drastically in the 3rd, especially on the defensive side of the ball. An improved effort helped the Nets force seven turnovers while closing in on the Bucks who held a 10-point lead after Jerryd Bayless drained a three with 5:36 mins to go, Bucks up 74-64.

A string of baskets by Thaddeus Young, Joe Johnson, and Markel Brown over the next three minutes allowed the Nets to close the gap towards the end of the third, highlighted by off-season acquisition, Andrea Bargnani, who converted a three-point play, tying the game at 80 all as time expired.

With the game tied going into the 4th, a victory was up for grabs and the Nets had plenty of chances to earn their first win of the year and gain the confidence that they are sorely lacking currently. In the 4th where the money plays are made that secure wins, the Nets came up empty and while the defense continued their strong second half, the offense struggled to match its counterpart.

After former New York Knicks guard, Shane Larkin hit a floater which gave the Nets their first lead since the 2nd quarter, 96-94 with 2:45 left in the 4th, Johnson and Jarrett Jack would combine to miss the Nets last four field goal attempts. In other words, Brook Lopez was severely missed. The 7-footer who led the Nets in points (18) picked up his 5th foul with 4:44 remaining in the final quarter, prompting Hollins to make a tough decision in removing him from the game.

“When Brook got his fifth foul we had to take him out,” Nets head coach Lionel Hollins said. “I didn’t want to put (Andrea) Bargnani on Monroe, and I came with T-Rob (Thomas Robinson), and we lost a little of the offensive dynamic that we had, but I saw a good game.”

Without Brook, the Nets lost arguably their best player and go-to-guy capable of winning a game for them which spelled the Nets doom. Without Brook, newly signed Greg Monroe of the Bucks scored the tying points (96-96) on a turnaround jump-shot with 2:24 left, which set up a late Bucks’ run in the final minute that would propel them to victory.

“I was just trying to get it inside,” Monroe said regarding the shot. “I had a little mishap with the ball, but I was just trying to be aggressive and make big shots for my team.”

Monroe finished with a double-double, 23 and 13, Giannis Antetokounmpo “The Greek Freak” finished with 21 and eight and Jerryd Bayless, starting in place of O.J. Mayo recorded a team-high 26 points.

As for the Nets, Johnson logged in 14 and 6 assists, while Young, Jack, and Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 13, 15 and 14 points respectively. It’s quite obvious that if Lopez is not on the floor in critical moments of the game or just in general, the Nets will lose their way. He is their best chance of winning and tonight after he occupied the bench following his fifth foul, the offense looked lethargic and lacked life and excitement.

There was a lot of standing around with no plan in sight and it doesn’t help that Johnson scored one point less than Jack. Behind Brook, Johnson is one of the Nets most important players and his production is essential to the Nets enjoying any type of success this season. Although the Bucks are still without their 2014 2nd overall pick Jabari Parker, Monroe and co. were able to get the job done.

“We got a good win for sure, but the way we won, it kind of showed a little toughness from the team,” said Monroe post-game. Monroe continued: “Especially coming into this game losing the first three, but going through adversity in this game and fighting through it, it was definitely a good win for us.”

The Nets are waiting to utter such words. How they respond to this 0-4 start will illustrate the rest of this November and it starts tomorrow at the Atlanta Hawks, another tough game. The Nets can’t wait for the second half to flip the switch. A full 48 mins of inspired ball is the only way the Nets can reverse their early troubles into fortunes and it all depends on the Nets big four. Lopez, Jack, Young and Johnson all have to bring their A-game.

It might not seem like it now, but the four guys mentioned above all have what it takes to lead this Nets team collectively and feed off of each other. If not, the Nets will be facing 0-5 on Wednesday night.

At the start of the 2015-16 NBA season, the Brooklyn Nets are a team of questions

In Lionel Hollins’ first year as the Brooklyn Nets Head Coach, the team handled their business. Despite winning only 38 games, it was enough for the Nets to slip into the playoffs, but that says more about the state of the Eastern Conference than it does about Lionel’s squad. Deron Williams was consistently in-and-out of the lineup throughout the entire season due to injuries. Brook Lopez played well towards the end and Thaddeus Young was added to the mix-mid-season-to propel the Nets into the playoffs and it worked.

For this upcoming season, the Nets won’t have to worry about D-Wills health as the $100 million-dollar-man left for the Dallas Mavericks, his hometown. Instead, Jarrett Jack will most likely obtain the starting job duties, which is a job he knows all too well. Other than starting for the Portland Trailblazers, Indiana Pacers, and Toronto Raptors during his 10-year career, Jack, started 27 games for the Nets last season, averaging 15.9 points and 6.5 assists. The challenge and question for Jack are, can he produce or contribute more over the course of 82 games?

After Jack, Donald Sloan, and Shane Larkin will also compete for the starting job. At Nets media day last month, Hollins did state that there will be an open competition for the starting PG position so there is hope for Larkin and Sloan, even if Jack is the favorite. Sloan, a four-year NBA veteran is a steady point guard who can score off the bench and Larkin is looking to redeem himself after a disappointing season with the New York Knicks last year. Larkin struggled with the “Triangle Offense,” implemented by Knicks president, Phil Jackson and head coach, Derek Fisher and in Brooklyn, believes he will be better, playing in a pick-and-roll system.

Brooklyn Nets guard Shane Larkin

“I’m more of a pick-and-roll guy, up and down,” Larkin told ESPN. “And that’s the thing they told me they wanted me to come in and do. For them to tell me they wanted me to come in push the tempo, bring some energy to the team that was everything I wanted to hear.”

With familiarity and less pressure to conform to the triangle, Larkin should be a boost off the Nets bench, giving them a PG who can lead the break and use his speed to get to the cup and make plays for others.

As for the rest of the starting lineup, Joe Johnson is still there and will be asked to do what he’s been doing forever, which is score. Thaddeus Young re-signed with the Nets following the success he had with the team last season and Brook Lopez will now be the face of the franchise in Deron’s departure. With the addition of Young, the Nets went 17-13 in their remaining 30 games, giving the Nets another weapon while forming a formidable frontcourt with Lopez. In Young, the Nets have a versatile forward who can guard one through four and gives the Nets the opportunity to play small ball due to his versatility. While Young’s spot seems to be solidified as a starter, Hollins has a decision to make at the shooting guard position. I can see Johnson being moved to the three, but at the two, Hollins will have to choose from either Bojan Bogdanovic or Markel Brown.

While Bojan profiles as more of a shooter and scorer, Brown is an athletic perimeter defender who can get to rim, but he needs to improve his outside shooting. What could be a deciding factor is the fact that Bojan was inconsistent last season with his scoring. Bojan is the same player that would score 18 points on 7-12 shooting in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers in March, and two days later, score only two points in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s what exactly might land Bojan on the bench and lift Brown into the starting lineup. Brown has a motor and continues to grow on the offensive end, and he is only 23 years-old. For the reserves, there are plenty of new faces for Hollins to choose from. Thomas Robinson, the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, will try to revive his career in Brooklyn. This is Robinson’s fifth team in three years. When healthy, Andrea Bargnani is a stretch four who can play center and drain three’s, bringing big men out of the paint for the guards. Wayne Ellington is another long-distance threat and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Chris McCullough represent the Nets 2015 NBA draft selections.

Unfortunately, McCullough will sit out the majority of the season, potentially the entire year due to a torn ACL. The Bronx native suffered the ACL injury last year at Syracuse University.
“Basically, this is a ‘redshirt year’ and secondly, somebody said it, he’s like our lottery pick for next year and I agree with that,” Hollins said at Nets Media day last month. “He’s a guy that is definitely part of the future, so hopefully, we can get him back early so he can get a lot of work in and then go through the summer and Summer League.”

As for Rondae, the former Arizona Wildcat is ready. Rondae is an athletic wing who I believe will prove to be very useful for the Nets. At 6’7 with a 7’2 wingspan, Rondae has a chance to be a Hollins favorite with his defensive skills on the perimeter along with an offensive game that highlights finishing at the rim with authority. Rondae won’t be mistaken for Reggie Miller anytime soon but according to Roderick Boone of Newsday, the rookie forward has been working on his lefty jumper after practice, hoisting up to 400 shots.

“There's things you have to do and you've got to put this work into get what you want out of basketball,” Hollis-Jefferson told Newsday. “So I feel like me coming in here and shooting is something I must do, I have to do, to be where I want to be.”

And there’s your 2015-16 Brooklyn Nets.

On paper, it’s a solid group that won’t have to deal with the Deron clouds. It’s a group that has some youth, and it is a group that has NBA talent. With age being a strength of this Nets team, there is an opportunity to run. Larkin, Sloan, Rondae and Brown will spearhead that attack for top plays on ESPN, hoping to improve a team that was among the worst in the league last season in fast-break points with only nine points a game. Despite the improvements that the Milwaukee Bucks, Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers and even dare I say the New York Knicks have made, there is an opportunity for the Nets to qualify for the 2016 playoffs, but a couple of things have to go right.

Jack has to have an All-Star caliber year and in the 15 and six he averaged as a starter last year for the Nets, 18 and seven should do the trick. Johnson has to continue to be a consistent source for points, especially in critical situations and Lopez has to dominate in the low-post like he did in stretches last season. And of course, health is key. Say what you want about Deron, but the former cornerstone of the franchise gave the Nets a public punching bag and someone to point the finger at when things went sour. There is no punching bag this year; only mirrors to look into. And if the Nets are competing for the lottery this season, they will only have themselves to blame.

Prediction: 37-45, Miss the Playoffs, 9th seed

On Media Day 2015, the Brooklyn Nets are team of uncertainty

With their first preseason game scheduled next Monday at home against Fenerbahce Ulker of the Turkish Basketball League, the Brooklyn Nets held their 2015 Media Day yesterday morning at their practice facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This day catered to the media and the Nets organization to bring the world up to speed on how they feel going into their 2015-16 NBA campaign. If I could use one word to describe the Nets state of mind, it’s uncertainty. There are no expectations and there are no guarantees.

When I asked Brooklyn Nets head coach Lionel Hollins how he feels about Jack starting, he also replied with a question.

“Who said Jarrett Jack was starting?

I responded, “I read that in the paper that those core guys are going to have the first dibs at training camp and then as we go forward, there will be one or two guys that are pretty much set in stone and then after that everyone has to earn the right.”

Despite promoting an open competition for the lead guard, with Donald Sloan, Ryan Boatright, and Shane Larkin, as the other candidates, Hollins has confidence in Jack due to what he accomplished last year. Jack averaged 12 points, three rebounds, and nearly five assists during the 2014-15 Season. Jack provided steady play for the Nets off-the-bench and as a starter on occasion. The 10-year veteran should be able to beat out his contemporaries, but Hollins wants to see it play out in training camp.

Hollins is also unsure of what the strength of the team will be this year, hinting to depth as a possible answer and wants to see who will solidify themselves as the team’s best wing defender. Markel Brown, the Nets second round pick last year had some great moments as a perimeter defender and Dahntay Jones, whom the Nets signed earlier this month, was brought in for that exact reason. The Nets first-round-pick this year, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a reputation as a strong defender as well, giving Hollins plenty of options for, as he put it, “controlling” the other team’s best player.

Along with Jack, Brook Lopez, Thaddeus Young and Joe Johnson represent the other key returners for the Nets, and all feel that they need to step up in different areas on-and-off the court. Johnson, a veteran, talked about being a bit more vocal which will be needed on a particularly young roster and doing whatever Hollins wants him to do for the team to be successful.

Photo left to right: Brooklyn Nets team members: Brook Lopez (center); Joe Johnson (shooting guard); and Thaddeus Young (forward)

“Whatever position he wants me to play I’ll play it,” Johnson said. “I don’t consider myself as a two, three, four, I’m just a basketball player that can play multiple decisions.”

Heading into his 15th season, Johnson believes that he still has more years left in the association and credits working on his body to get through the 82-game stretch.

“Throughout this grueling season, if you’re not lifting weights and doing a lot of lower body stuff, that’s how you develop tendinitis,” Johnson added.

Young, who helped the Nets secure a playoff spot last year, talked about family being one of the main reasons for his return.

“TJ starts school this year, so that was one of the biggest things on my mind, was just to have them settled and not continue to move them around,” Young said.

For humor, Young poked fun at Brooklyn traffic saying that it is “Brutal” and regarding basketball, Young talked about how he gelled playing alongside Brook Lopez. According to Young, he and Lopez have known each other since the 8th grade and that relationship translated into wins during the Nets 2015 playoff push.

As for Lopez, becoming a complete player is his main focus. Lopez is more known for his scoring in the low-post, more than anything else and in moving forward, Lopez plans to move the ball, more than usual, to improve on the 1.3 assists he recorded in 2014-15. Chris McCullough, the Nets first-round pick this year who is recovering from an ACL injury, expects to play sometime, later this year but Hollins thinks otherwise.

“Basically, this is a ‘redshirt year’ and secondly, somebody said it, he’s like our lottery pick for next year and I agree with that,” Hollins said. “He’s a guy that is definitely part of the future, so hopefully, we can get him back early so he can get a lot of work in and then go through the summer and Summer League.”

The Nets also added former New York Knicks players, Andrea Bargnani to stretch the floor and Larkin, who Hollins likes because of his speed. Although the Nets had a lot of things to talk about regarding this upcoming year, you had to figure that a Deron quote was due and Johnson shed light on his former backcourt mate.

“I don’t know if he wanted the buyout or if they just bought him out, but if he wanted the buyout, I don’t think it was that bad [here]. That’s just me.”

There are a lot of questions surrounding Hollins and Co. for this upcoming season and with Nets owner, Mikhail Prokhorov slated to attend training camp, the Nets will have to answer them in a timely manner, which will hopefully amount to plenty of wins.

VIDEO Discussion: Brooklyn Nets Thaddeus Young says the Nets will be a running team

 On Sirius/XM NBA radio, Brooklyn Nets forward, Thaddeus Young stated that the team will look to increase the pace this season under head coach, Lionel Hollins.

Joe Johnson rumored to be headed to Cleveland Cavaliers

The What’s The 411Sports panel is talking about the Brooklyn Nets free agency deals.

The Brooklyn Nets have come to terms with free-agents, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young, to keep them in Brooklyn a little longer after their impressive surge towards the end of last season. The Nets also acquire Shane Larkin and Thomas Robinson. Who is leaving the Nets next? At the time of this taping, it is rumored that Joe Johnson could be traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Deron Williams 35 Points led the way

All they needed was one.

All the Brooklyn Nets needed was one win in their first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks to generate the confidence they needed going forward to have a realistic shot of winning or just being competitive, after losing the season series 4-0.

And after failing to return home with a win, the Nets answered the call in game three to extend this series, at least for another game.

They defeated the Hawks 91-83 in their 2015 postseason home debut, recapturing the attention of the fans while dispelling the early projections of an opening-round sweep, of course, favoring the Hawks.

I mean they are the no.1 seed in the Eastern Conference and pretty much owned the Nets all season long.

But those fortunes have changed.

The tides have turned, and on Monday night, the Nets enjoyed that good ol' home-cooking for the second straight game behind the performance of an unlikely hero.

After an up-and-down year of injuries and inconsistent play, Deron Williams erupted for a team-high 35 points and helped lead the Nets to a 120-115 win in extra time, tying the series at two apiece.

Unlike any other game this season, as an observer watching how he was able to exploit his match-ups and get to his spots, you actually wanted the ball in Williams’ hands.

He finished the first quarter with 11 points, but I highly doubt that anyone saw what was to come from the Texas native once the second half arrived.

Williams scored 16 points in the 4th quarter alone, connecting on four threes, none bigger than his last points of the quarter, a trey, which put the Nets up, 102-101 with under two minutes to go.

And moments later, Brook Lopez, who feasted down low for 26 points, found the basket for two on a floater, a critical possession, improving the Nets lead to three, 104-101.

Brooklyn Nets center, Brook Lopez

You could almost feel it. The Nets were about to execute the unthinkable and what seemed like a long shot a week ago was becoming a reality, but this is the Nets were talking about, 38-44 at season's end and that's not how this past regular season played out for the home team.

This 2014-15 campaign was a roller coaster ride, and the Nets, staying true to who they really are, took the crowd on yet another twisted turn.

One made free-throw by Jeff Teague, poor defense on Paul Millsap and a missed game-winner by Williams, was all the Hawks would need to tie this game up in the closing minutes of the 4th and send this game into OT.

At least if you were a fan, you got your money's worth in addition to a free "We Are Playoffs", T-shirt.

But in all honestly, Brooklyn was provided with a reason to smile.

In the OT period, the Nets traded baskets with the Hawks and in the end, made the necessary plays to secure the victory.

And this time, they didn't need Williams to rise to the occasion.

Instead, Bojan Bogdanovic and Thaddeus Young took turns saving the Nets season from an improbable 3-1 comeback situation.

Brooklyn Nets shooting guard,  Bojan Bogdanovic

Brooklyn Nets power forward, Thaddeus Young

With the Nets down by a deuce, 113-111 and a little over a min remaining in the 5-minute period, Lopez found Bogdanovic for a corner three, giving the Nets the go-ahead basket, now 114-113, quickly erasing the thoughts of a loss looming which seemed like the likely narrative just 20 seconds ago.

With the Nets down by a deuce, 113-111 and a little over a min remaining in the 5-minute period, Lopez found Bogdanovic for a corner three, giving the Nets the go-ahead basket, now 114-113, quickly erasing the thoughts of a loss looming which seemed like the likely narrative just 20 seconds ago.

"I got a couple open shots today because we are doing a great job on the pick and rolls," said Bogdanovic following the game.

"Brook is doing a great job swinging the ball to shooters."

And then Young, who has been a godsend since his arrival in Brooklyn, scored the final basket the Nets would need in this contest, sinking a running jump shot and collected the foul, missing the and-1, which put the Nets up for good 116-113, with 54 seconds left.

In a must-win game, the Nets delivered despite the constant criticism from the outsiders especially Washington Wizards own Paul Pierce, who last week, was openly critical about his time with the Nets last season and the core players which this team was built on.

Pierce said he "Hated" his time with the Nets and called out Williams for not wanting to be the man that $99 million dollars would warrant him being, but yesterday night, Williams showed up and quieted the critics.

He was the man and every man.

He was the man the Nets needed to come alive in a crucial game four and everyone including Nets Head Coach Lionel Hollins-loved every minute of it.

Brooklyn Nets head coach, Lionel Hollins

"For him to come out, it showed a lot of character to put on the performance like that, especially when we needed it because without that performance, I don't know if we get out of here with a win," Hollins said during his post-game press conference.

But that's why Williams has been the target of the criticism aimed in the Nets direction.

In the team’s season-long struggles, Williams has struggled and as the "Star" of the team, all of the blame, unfortunately, has landed on the shoulders of No.8.

But it's only right to shower him with the praise he deserves because William's performance has provided the Nets with new life in this first round series.

"We really needed to get this win to stay in the series," Williams said.

"It was definitely one of my better games this year for sure and probably as a Net."

And how can you argue with that?

Williams also said that this win was a team win, and that is a fact as six Net's scored in double-figures.

In addition to Deron and Lopez, Bogdanovic scored 15, Young added 10, Joe Johnson poured in 17 and Alan Anderson finished with 11.

As a team, the Nets were out-rebounded, 55-40 especially during the second half of tonight's game where Hollins elected to go small surrendering rebounding and defense for offense.

"Well, Brook got in foul trouble and he was tired, and we needed a change," Hollins said.

"It's just something that sometimes your gut says, 'what else is there to do?' That was what came about in my gut, and fortunately for us, it worked."

And what worked for the Nets, on this night, happened to be enough to fend off the Hawks, who boasted six players in double-figures, just like the Nets.

Teague and DeMarre Carroll led the way with 20 points each.

Kyle Korver and Millsap both scored 16 points. Al Horford added 17 and Dennis Schroder chipped in 10.

But it wasn't enough.

"We had some opportunities tonight that we just didn't take advantage of,” said Mike Budenholzer Atlanta Hawks Head Coach and NBA Head Coach of The Year, for your information.

"In this situation and in this time, it's important when you get an advantage or an opportunity. You have to take advantage of it. Credit to Brooklyn."

The Hawks led by 12, late in the 3rd and also led by eight heading into the 4th, to no avail.

Monday night belonged to the Nets, and most importantly Deron Williams.

"I played with Deron in Utah for a few years and that's the Deron I remember," Korver said post-game.

No kidding.

He continued: "You know, that's what he's capable of. He hit some really amazing shots, and you've got to give him credit."

This team will go as far as Deron will take them; and with the series tied 2-2, the Nets have the momentum and are in the right position to upset the no.1 seed.

It also doesn't hurt that Deron has the full support of Coach Hollins, who defended the point-guard earlier today regarding all of the criticism he's received recently.

"It means a lot when you're struggling like that and your coach comes out and defends you the way he did," Deron said.

"It means a lot. Says a lot about him and how much he cares about not only me but, this team and our players."

For the first time in a long time, the Nets are actually in a good place.

Game 5 is tomorrow night back in Atlanta.

The Last time the Nets won a road playoff game was when they outlasted the Toronto Raptors, in the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, game 7 to be exact.

It's time for the Nets to mirror those results come Wednesday night.

Bogdanovic Scores a Team-high 28 Points

You can relax Brooklyn Nets fans, you’re in!

Your team made the playoffs.

At the expense of an up-and-down year, injuries and not having the pleasure of controlling their own fate, the Brooklyn Nets qualified for the 2015 NBA Playoffs, which is more than we can say about the other team across the river.

But we won't go there, these are happy times and with the Nets 101-88 win over the young and restless Orlando Magic, the home-team has given life to the Barclays Center for two more home games, and more, if necessary.

The Nets improved to (38-44) to complete their 2015 campaign, while the Magic fell to (25-57), another trip to the lottery.

And this feat only came into fruition when the Indiana Pacers, scheduled to play two hours before the Nets tip-offed against the Magic, challenged the Memphis Grizzlies and failed to mirror the same result, losing 95-83.

As far as the Nets are concerned and their faithful fans, it's not the ideal method you would've liked for your team to make the playoffs but you'll take it.

They did what they were supposed to do and that was simply handle their business against a team they were expected to beat.

It didn't look that way early on in this contest.

The Magic held minimal leads in the first half of this regular season finale and even led by ten in the third quarter, 65-55 with 8:22 remaining.

At that point, the Nets seemed to turn the tables and made one final push, run towards saving their season which favored their efforts.

An increase in defensive pressure forced missed shots an allowed the Nets to generate a 10-3 run, courtesy of Deron Williams, Brook Lopez, Jarrett Jack and Bojan Boganovic which cut the deficit to three, a 68-65 Magic lead with 5:41 left in the 3rd.

More of the same would continue for the Nets to end the third, in which they tied the game at 75 all, into the 4th quarter where other Nets-not mentioned above, had their moments in contributing to the win.

Mason Plumlee, off of an offensive rebound, converted the go-ahead basket at 81-80 with 9:33 left in the 4th, giving the Nets their first lead of the night since their brief 33-32 lead-midway through the 2nd quarter.

Then Joe Johnson responded to a made layup by Magic big-man, Nikola Vucevic, regaining the lead on a running jump-shot, 83-82 at the nine minute mark.

Brooklyn Nets shotting guard, Joe Johnson

The game, at this juncture in time, reached that moment where the next-5 minutes would decide the victor, and fortunately for the Nets and the 17,098 fans in attendance, they executed during that stretch and out-shot the competition.

Thaddeus Young chipped in five points, followed by treys via Johnson and Bogdanovic and before you knew it, the Nets were up 98-86 with three minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, providing relief among the fans and especially their head coach, Lionel Hollins.

Brooklyn Nets power forward, Thaddeus Young

"I am just thankful that our guys stepped up and did what they had to do," said Hollins during his post-game press conference. "That is the only thing that they had control of, was going out there. I thought that this was a big team win."

And it was.

I mentioned various names who played an integral role in this game because they all mattered.

Five players for the Nets finished in double-figures, featuring: 16 points by both Johnson and Young, 14 from Brook Lopez, 10 by Williams and a team-high 28 points by Bogdanovic, including four of eight from three-point range.

"It's a nice feeling to get a career high but it's not most important thing for us," said Bogdanovic post-game. "We have to wait for the other game to be in the playoffs. And I hope that (Indiana win) doesn't happen."

I think the most important thing that didn't happen was the Magic playing spoiler, a team who had nothing to play for.

Those teams, lottery projected teams, pose the biggest threat to teams who aspire to make the playoffs, and last night, the Nets survived a dominating performance inside by Vucevic and another piece of the Magic's future in Victor Oladipo's 19 points.

"I thought we did a good job of fighting, did a good job of keeping ourselves in the game," Oladipo said post-game. "Now we just gotta work hard, you know, get better, so we can make big plays down the stretch in fourth quarters."

Andrew Nicholson even showed his versatility for the away team, knocking down a deuce of threes en route to 18 points.

The Magic, a team rebuilding for a better future has a crop of respectable young talent and potential stars on their roster who will contribute to the star-power very soon, and because of that, Oladipo didn't dwell on the negatives, like the loss and the struggles of this season alone but the light at the end of the tunnel.

"I think we have great attributes to our team, great players," Oladipo said. "...Individually (we) just have to get better and as a team, collectively, as well. It's going to be a big summer for us, a big offseason."

Hey Nets fans, remember when your team mirrored this year’s Magic, three years ago?

Just kidding.

With the Nets win, they improved to 6-0 on the season against the Magic at the Barclays Center, in addition to finishing the month of April, 5-4, which proved to be the most crucial stat presently.

The Nets will challenge the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, which begins this Saturday.

And this starts a whole new holiday for me personally (April 18th-start of the NBA Playoffs).

As much as an achievement that is, the Nets haven't fared to well against the no.1 seed in the Eastern Conference this season, the Hawks, also-known-as the second team to 60+ wins in the NBA.

They don't have the blueprint to beat the Hawks, losing all four match-ups against the ATL this year and in close games.

This isn't the Western Conference where 12 teams can legitimately challenge the no.1 seed, the Golden State Warriors in a seven-game-series.

This is the same Eastern Conference that, in the pre-season, led me to believe that the New York Knicks could actually have an admirable season.

We all know what happened there and unlike the Knicks play this regular season, the Nets will have to give it their all, and then some.

The advantage the Nets have on their side going into the post-season is the fact that it’s a blank slate.

Everyone starts fresh and its 0-0 all.

What happened in the regular season no longer factors into the immediate future, a tournament style format which provides rest periods.

The Nets have a chance like everybody else to upset the Hawks and like coach Hollins said in his post-game press conference, the Nets will have to figure out what the Hawks fail to do well and capitalize on it.

And like all of Brooklyn, we are hoping the Nets can find a way to seize four more games, starting this weekend.

Lopez Leaves Horford Open Allowing the Go-Ahead Basket; Prokhorov Not Selling Team

Early Wednesday morning, Atlanta Hawks players Pero Antic and Thabo Sefolosha were arrested for obstruction of justice by the NYPD, in association with Indiana Pacers Chris Copeland, who is recovering from a stabbing incident outside of 1 Oak nightclub in Chelsea.

Later that day, the Hawks were scheduled to visit the Brooklyn Nets after routing the Phoenix Suns, the previous day, 96-69.

Even without two players that have helped the Hawks clinch the no.1 seed in the Eastern Conference, the remaining group of players posed a viable threat to the Nets, in terms of preventing the Nets from securing their sixth consecutive home win.

And tonight, that's exactly what happened.

The Hawks outlasted the Nets 114-111, executing late in the 4th quarter to seal their 59th win of the season.

With the win, the Hawks are in position to be the second team in the NBA to reach 60+ wins, now (59-19) on the season, while the Nets fell to (36-42).

To the Nets credit they were in this game and put themselves in a position to win.

Their play tonight reflected how their 2014-15 season has played out thus far, with 5 games left in the regular season.

This year, the Nets have battled injuries to their core players, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, and have found a way to remain competitive enough to make the playoffs, even as a low seed.

Tonight, the Nets battled back from numerous double-digit leads through-out the game and gave themselves, as well as, the sellout crowd of 17,732 in attendance, the chance for a home victory.

In the first quarter, the Nets found themselves down 28-17, a run in which five Hawks: Dennis Schroder, Mike Muscala, DeMarre Carroll, Al Horford and Mike Scott all made a contribution.

In the second, the Nets closed the gap that the Hawks generated in the first quarter, after a Bojan Bogdanovic layup +1 got the Nets to within one, down 47-46 with 4:41 left. It didn’t take long for an increased defensive stretch by the Hawks to lead to three fast break dunks courtesy of Scott and Horford, in addition to Jeff Teague attacking the rim which put the Hawks back up by ten, 59-49 around the 2-minute mark.

"We got some open looks and made some big shots, and our defense got some steals to add to the break," Teague said following the win en route to a double-double 15 points and 12 assists in addition to four steals.

More of the same would continue in the third where the Nets fell behind by as many as 14 points late in the third, with the 4th and final quarter within the horizon, the quarter where the Nets would have to make their final bid for the win and they did.

They presented a strong bid but in the end, not big enough to upend a team in position to win its first conference title since 1961 and fifth in franchise history.

With the Nets down one with 1:38 to go till the end of regulation, a missed three-point attempt by Jarrett Jack allowed Brook Lopez, who was in position, three attempts at seizing the offensive rebound and converting the basket, all of 7-feet tall.

Brooklyn Nets guard, Jarrett Jack

Lopez (26 points,10 rebounds) would miss three tip-ins, in point blank range, of course-thwarted by a gang of Hawks who zeroed in on the action, and the final opportunity grabbed by Thaddeus Young led to no avail, as he would miss his attempt to play hero.

But instead, Williams who contributed a double-double in 10 points and 13 assists, became the hero, at least for a moment.

Williams converted a driving, off the glass floater, giving the Nets a one point lead, 111-110 forcing a Hawks timeout with 33.5 seconds to go.

Here, the Hawks showed why they are the no.1 seed and it only comes down to one important fact: they executed.

In the next possession, the Hawks ran a curl play for probably the most feared shooter and three-point specialist in the league, Kyle Korver, who received the inbound pass.

Korver noticed the extra help from the Nets particularly, Lopez who left Horford open and in the end, the Nets suffered the consequences as Korver found the big-man who quietly dunked, scoring his easiest two of the game giving his Hawks the go-ahead basket, up 112-111.

"I was just kind of reacting, and I was expecting Kyle to shoot the ball," Horford said, scoring a team-high 24 points, following the win.

"Kyle just made a great read."

It’s what the good teams do.

They win even when their backs are against the wall and unfortunately for the Nets, this loss meant the Hawks won the season series between the two, 4-0.

If you like moral victories, the Nets lost this game by the lowest margin (3) opposed to the other three contest, which were all routs like last weekend’s 131-99 nightmare, and Williams shed light on that fact.

"It's not really a moral victory," Williams said post-game.

Brooklyn Nets guard, Deron Williams

"I guess it is good because we pretty much got blown out by them every game before this one. It's a game we definitely wanted. It's a little disappointing how we started the game but we did finish well and we had our chances."

They did and with this loss, the Hawks came in and halted the momentum the Nets have been gathering over the past couple of weeks.

"I think it’s a good team win in a tough environment on the road," Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer told the media, post-game. "You need to have some close games, you need to be tested and a lot of credit to Brooklyn for how they played. We feel fortunate to get a good win on the road."

But a pat on the back won't do.

The Nets should have and could have won this game but that won't settle the unrest within the team's collective psyche.

This would've been a great win in proving to themselves that they can beat the best team in the east and now the Nets are left wondering whether or not they even have a shot against this team if they were to meet in the first round of the playoffs starting next weekend.

The 0-4 season sweep by the Hawks does not offer confidence, and this loss drops the Nets back to the 8th and final spot, only a game ahead of the Indiana Pacers (35-43), who just received their star, Paul George, back from the compound fracture he suffered during the Las Vegas scrimmage this past summer for Team USA.

The Nets have four games left in the season.

This Friday, they will host the Washington Wizards, travel to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Sunday and then finish the season hosting the Chicago Bulls on Monday and the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

The Nets can't look ahead or to any of the teams aiming for their spot.

They have to handle their business because if not, owner Mikhail Prokhorov, who addressed the media before tip-off will.

"I will do my best in order to find the opportunity to reach our common goal," Prokhorov expressed when asked about the team’s future.

"You know that if you analyze a championship team, 20 percent of it is draft picks and 80 percent are trades. So now we have talent, and I am sure that our front office is good enough and have a great eye to find some balance in order to improve our team if we need."

Sounds like somebody who means business.