It doesn't look good for the Nets being able to avoid some dubious history. Only two teams have lost their first 17 games at the start of a season -- the 1988-89 Heat in their inaugural season, and the 1998-99 Clippers in the lockout-shortened campaign. But the Nets are at 16. Next, they face the Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday. After that, it's the Dallas Mavericks with Jason Kidd on Wednesday in New Jersey.
So, yes, a record 18 straight defeats is a distinct possibility, regardless of how many close games and near misses the Nets have had.
"There's no doubt that it wears on you," coach Lawrence Frank said of the losing. "The record is not indicative of the type of team we are. Our guys know that, but we need to obviously show that with our play and with our record."
Sunday's game in Los Angeles, where the Nets have lost to the Lakers 27 of 35 times, ends the Nets' annual Thanksgiving Week road trip. The Nets last lost all four games on the trip in 2006-07.
KINGS 109, NETS 96: The winless Nets essentially played 24 minutes and paid dearly for their transgression. They were no-shows in the first half when they trailed by as many as 22 points. They rallied after halftime, but the damage was done and they never recovered. Three Nets scored in the 20s, led by Devin Harris with 25.
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