A day that began with positive news finished with a tough loss ... and not a small amount of negativity.
The Nets, who hold the NBA-best road record against the West (12-3) went cold late, losing to the Dallas Mavericks, 113-109. With the loss, Brooklyn falls to 43-24 on the season and extends their losing streak to four games. Moreover, they are now two and a half games behind the 76ers and a half game ahead of the Bucks with five left.
Brooklyn entered the fourth nursing a one-point lead and Dallas, behind some smart play, forged a 13-2 run lasting four minutes to give the Mavericks a 99-92 lead with 5:57 remaining.