New Orleans and Brooklyn have been among the NBA’s most improved defensive teams in April, but offense was the name of the game Tuesday when the interconference foes met. The Nets shook off an early double-digit deficit, built a 12-point edge of their own, then held off the Pelicans in the final minutes, handing the hosts a damaging loss. New Orleans dropped to four games behind Golden State and San Antonio for the two final Western Conference play-in spots.
The high-powered Nets roster that’s sprinted to an elite record since making an in-season blockbuster trade wasn’t at full strength.