3 Nets takeaways from 141-107 loss to CJ McCollum, Hawks

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (18-59) had a tough matchup ahead of them on Friday with the Atlanta Hawks (45-33) visiting Barclays Center, especially given the Nets ' injury situation. Brooklyn is still trying to finish this season on a strong note despite the injuries, but the lack of available rotation players made it hard for them to keep up with the Hawks . The Nets lost to the Hawks 141-107 where Atlanta did not truly turn this contest into a blowout until the fourth quarter when Brooklyn couldn't get anything going on either end of the floor.

Center Nic Claxton led the way for the Nets with his 16 points and five rebounds while guard Malachi Smith had one of his best games of the season with 15 points and two rebounds. Brooklyn faced an 18-point deficit in the first quarter before the bench, led by Smith, managed to cut the deficit to 35-25 heading into the second quarter. The Nets held their own in the second and third quarters as they found a way to match Atlanta's offense, despite the fact that guard CJ McCollum went off for 25 points and seven assists in just over 25 minutes played.

Turnovers were the main issue for the Nets as they turned the ball over 20 times, leading to 35 points for a Hawks team that didn't have trouble scoring at any point in this game. Forward Noah Clowney, who had a solid game with 12 points and four rebounds in just 20 minutes for the Nets, was ejected after picking up two technical fouls within two seconds of game time in between. With that being said, the Nets fell apart in the fourth quarter to the tune of a 43-22 tally and in the middle of the period, the Hawks cleared their bench to give some of their younger players more minutes.

Brooklyn is now in the midst of a two-game losing streak, but they should have a good chance of ending that streak on Sunday with a matchup against the Washington Wizards. Malachi Smith Provides Bench Spark Smith made his debut with the Nets on Mar. 14 when he signed his first 10-day contract with the team and while this game ended in a blowout, he had his best game since signing with Brooklyn.