NEW YORK — Monday marked the third of four meetings between the Sixers and Nets with each having won on their home floor.
The Sixers had the slowest of starts but were twice able to cut down double-digit deficits to just two points in the fourth quarter. However, the Nets had an answer each time, eventually prevailing 108-102 and dropping the Sixers' record to 15-34.
Turning point
The Sixers took a 44-37 lead with 3:11 to play in the second quarter. With three minutes to play in the third quarter they were down 14 points, a 21-point swing in 12 minutes of game action.
To their credit, with 3:38 to play, a Lavoy Allen jumper cut the Nets' lead to 97-95. But the Nets scored on their next two possessions -- a Deron Williams jumper and a Mirza Teletovic three-point play. In between, they got a defensive stop to put their lead back at seven points with under three minutes to play.
Follow the leader
Paul Pierce may be 36 years old but he looked 10 years younger playing Monday against the Sixers. Pierce, playing power forward, attacked and attacked and attacked. He was 14 for 14 at the foul line on his way to game-high 25 points.
Williams added another 21 points, while Teletovic came off the bench to score 20 points, including 5 for 8 from three-point range.
NBA
Michael Carter-Williams was back in the lineup after missing Saturday’s game because of a sore right shoulder. The rest did the rookie good. He scored a team-high 21 points.
Thaddeus Young added 17 points.
Stat-egic
Turnovers are becoming a real problem for the Sixers. Yes they average a league-worst 17 turnovers per game, but Monday the Sixers had 17 turnovers with nine minutes still to play in the third quarter.
Last Wednesday, the Sixers committed a season-low 10 turnovers in their win over Boston. In three games since they have committed 19, 19 and 26 turnovers in three losses.
Take a bow
Tony Wroten scored 18 points Saturday when he started for the injured Carter-Williams. The backup point guard has averaged 18.3 points in the 12 games he has started. As a reserve, Wroten averages 10.2 points a contest.
Wroten had his starter swagger going on Monday despite coming off the bench. He finished with 18 points on 6 of 7 shooting and 6 of 9 at the foul line.
What’s next?
The Celtics come to the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday and you can bet revenge will be on their minds. It will be exactly a week after the Sixers went into TD Garden and stole a 95-94 win on Evan Turner’s last-second shot.
Rajon Rondo did not play in the game because he was resting on the second night of a back-to-back as he continues to ease his way back into action following ACL surgery last February. The Celtics beat the Magic Sunday and are off until Wednesday, so not only Rondo but the entire Boston team should be well rested.
The Celtics are 16-33 on the season.