Following the heroics of Cam Thomas on Sunday, the Nets were back in action Monday night in Portland as they embarked on the rare cross country back-to-back.
Already facing the challenge of playing two games in 24 hours, the Nets would also be without James Harden who was a last-minute scratch due to a left knee hyperextension.
From the opening tip, the game was ugly for Brooklyn. Already short in frontcourt depth without the services of LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Claxton picked up three fouls within the first six minutes of the game.
In came Blake Griffin who didn’t provide much relief on either end, even blowing two point-blank layups in the first half.