MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For two minutes, the Nets lost their poise. And lost the game.
The Nets came unglued in a third-quarter blitz, and it ended up costing them in a 135-119 loss at Memphis before 15,983 at FedEx Forum.
It was testy, with Dennis Schroder and Ja Morant picking up late technicals, and Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins refusing to shake the former’s hand after the game.
It precipitated another dustup when the pair had to be separated.
Morant poured in a game–high 28 points and relished in taunting the Nets, from motioning to the bench before taking off for a dunk to strutting upcourt at the close of the first half and right in front of head coach Jordi Fernandez’s face.
“I didn’t say anything to [Morant],” Fernandez said. “I don’t speak to other players unless I know them. And that’s something the officials have to judge. … Having respect for the game, I will only talk to the other team’s coach if I know him.”
Ultimately, it was a two-minute implosion in the third that turned a two-point deficit into a blowout.
Brooklyn coughed up a 13-0 run that included two technical fouls, a delay of game and Nic Claxton failing to get back on defense to allow a backbreaking 3-pointer.
It added up to their first loss against the Grizzlies this season.
The Nets (10-15) had won both of their scheduled contests and seemed primed for a sweep but had a third Memphis date added to the slate after failing to advance in the NBA Cup.
It’s the first time they have played three games against a West foe since 1978-79.
The Nets — who were sitting a surprising eighth in the Eastern Conference — fell to 10th, just half-game ahead of 11th-place Detroit and being in the lottery.
There are a number of tank-happy fans who will be pleased by that.
Memphis (18-8) has won 10 of their past 11.
Brooklyn put seven in double figures, led by Dorian Finney-Smith (19 points, 5-of-8 from deep, five rebounds) and Dennis Schroder (15 points, eight assists).
But they couldn’t slow the Grizzlies, who shot 52.5 percent and 17-of-36 from deep.
They were led by Morant, Santo Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr., the latter pair with 20 points each.
A Schroder turnover led to a Morant fast break, where he actually pointed to the bench before taking flight for a dunk. It was hardly his most brazen affront.
“Dennis said words to the coach, and I told him I never want any of my players to go talk to a coach,” Fernandez said. “That’s not how I want my team to behave. … I dont want that. I want to compete on the court, fight on the court.”
After holding Morant to just two points in the first quarter, the Nets saw him torch them for 16 in the second on 6-of-9 shooting.
The last was a pull-up that just beat the buzzer, and the Grizzlies star sauntered back upcourt and right in front of Fernandez’s face to taunt him.
Morant got the last laugh Friday.
Brooklyn came out of the locker room fired up and reeled off an 11-0 blitz in just a minute-and-a-half to get within a deuce.
Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to five, then found Schroder for a 3-pointer to get the Nets within 74-72 with 8:52 left in the third.
But that’s as close as they got.
The Nets coughed up the next 13 points.
Claxton drove and missed but felt he got fouled and argued instead of immediately hustling back.
He was late on defense as Morant’s 3-pointer made it 81-72, and he picked up a technical to boot. Desmond Bane sank the free throw to push the deficit to double digits.
After Fernandez picked up a technical arguing on behalf of Claxton, Bane sank another foul shot.
Jaren Jackson Jr. found Wells for a 3-pointer that made the score 87-72 with 6:48 left in the third.
They trailed by 20 in the waning minutes.