Nets struggle without Michael Porter Jr. during NBA Cup loss to 76ers

Michael Porter Jr. has likely suffered — and overcome — more back injuries than any player in the NBA.
But on Friday the talent-starved Nets got a good look at their offense with Porter sidelined by fresh back woes.
It wasn’t pretty.
Shorthanded Brooklyn struggled through an ugly 115-103 NBA Cup loss to visiting Philadelphia before a sellout crowd of 17,809 at Barclays Center.
Already without Cam Thomas, the Nets (3-15) played sans Porter, sidelined by low back tightness.
Considering the latter’s history, Brooklyn can downplay the injury all they want, but it will set off alarms.
The way they looked Friday will raise more.
The Nets shot 40.5 percent, and just 13-of-43 from deep.
Trailing 42-31 after a Terance Mann jumper, the Nets coughed up a 12-2 run to lose any contact.
Brooklyn suffered a six-minute drought without a basket that spanned intermission, from 4:42 in the first half through 10:42 of the third quarter until Terance Mann scored.
Rookie Egor Demin was one of the few bright spots. He poured in a career-high 23 points with nine rebounds and five assists — with 15 points and four boards in the fourth quarter as the Nets furiously tried to rally.
This Article was copied from nypost .com, visit to read more
NOTE: THIS SITE DOES NOT BELONG TO FACEBOOK



