Charlotte flipped a different switch at halftime to put Brooklyn away.
The Brooklyn Nets will need to make coming out fast after halftime an offseason emphasis.
Because the Charlotte Hornets flipped a fierce switch in the third quarter to put the home team away.
Charlotte held Brooklyn to just 18 points during the third period that helped spark the 117-86 rout at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
Kon Knueppel set the third quarter tone with a driving layup for the first non-free throw basket of that period. Ziaire Williams countered by hitting a 12-foot fadeaway jumper. But Brandon Miller followed by nailing a 25-foot three to make it a 65-47 advantage for the visitors.
Drake Powell came back with his own long-range basket, this one from 23-feet. Moussa Diabate eventually built the lead to 71-50 by scoring the next four points.
Williams scored the next six points for Brooklyn while Nic Claxton added an 11-foot floating jump shot. But LaMelo Ball built the lead to 27 for Charlotte especially after swishing a 25-foot jumper. Tyson Etienne and Ben Saraf became the last members of the Nets to score in the third.
Josh Minott got the scoring going in the fourth by hitting a running layup. Minott ended up leading Brooklyn in scoring, but settled for just 14 points. Minott delivered that production off the bench in 23 minutes of play.
Chaney Johnson chipped in 11 points to become the second-leading scorer for the Nets. Johnson hit that mark in 27 minutes.
Meanwhile, three different Nets starters scored 10 points apiece. Williams landed at that point total through 24 minutes. He also delivered one steal and produced one block.
Powell joined the 10-point party for the Nets starters. The rookie earned 28 minutes and nailed a couple of 3-pointers. He also led the Nets with six rebounds.
Nolan Traore rounded out the 10-point scorers for Brooklyn. He earned 23 minutes of play while grabbing five rebounds and leading the way in assists with four. Saraf came close to double figures but settled for seven points.
Brooklyn once again operated without rookie big Danny Wolf. He showed up to Barclays with a walking boot. Head coach Jordi Fernandez didn't provide a timetable of Wolf's possible return with six games now left into the regular season.
The Nets also continue to operate without leading scorer Michael Porter Jr., who's nursing an ankle injury. Brooklyn is now 18-58 overall and staring at an 18-64 finish...which would become the first time the Nets ended the season with that record if they lose out.
Brooklyn also continues to hear first overall pick chatter amid the losses. The Nets remain with the second-best odds to land No. 1 ahead of the NBA Draft Lottery.
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