EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—To believe Chris Douglas-Roberts, the double-double was irrelevant. So was the career-high in points (27) ... and the career-high in rebounds (12), and so also the career-high in minutes (44).

There were two numbers and a letter he was concerned with: 91 (points for the Pacers), 83 (points for the Nets) and the 11th 'L' attached to the Nets' winless record.

"It's nothing if we don't win," Douglas-Roberts said. "My numbers don't matter if we're losing, because you're labeled a 'loser.' It doesn't matter what you're doing on a losing team - nobody cares. I know I don't."

The perpetually short-handed Nets turned in what has become a typically strong overall defensive effort, forcing 14 turnovers and limiting the Pacers to .308 shooting from three and .392 overall. But the lapses to open the game – a 9-0 Pacers run snowballed to 28-12 before nine minutes had elapsed – and open the third – again 9-0, pushing the lead to 17 – proved crucial.

With 1 minute, 10 seconds remaining before halftime, Trenton Hassell sank two free throws after snagging an offensive rebound and being fouled on the putback. That cut the lead to four, but only eight seconds passed before Hassell fouled Danny Granger, who hit a pair of free throws. Granger stole the ball on the ensuing possesion, missed a three, but controlled the rebounds and hit a layup to push the lead back to eight.

In the third, the Nets actually weathered the Indiana run, allowing only four points during the period's final nine minutes. But during that span, they shot only 6-of-18 and committed four turnovers, finishing the third having sliced only a single point off the lead.

"Throughout the game, we competed tonight," said Nets point guard Rafer Alston. "But when we spot a team that big a lead, it's tough. It's tough in the NBA to play from behind. It's a lot of energy (and) it's a lot of work when you have seven, eight guys."

The need for scoring combined with the limited rotation to force Douglas-Roberts, Alston and Brook Lopez to each play more than 40 minutes; Hassell was on the floor for 38. Lopez (26 points, 16 rebounds, 5 blocks) acknowledged that it's difficult, but considering there's no alternative, all the team can do is keep playing hard and trying to make up for the lack of bodies as best they can.

Douglas-Roberts showed fortitude by playing 43 1/2 minutes in his third game back (and first start) since contracting the H1N1 virus. The second-year swingman struggled at times, turning the ball over four times and uncharacteristically fumbling away several passes. But he shouldered the scoring burden best he could, relentlessly attacking the basket, shooting 11-of-25 and sinking all five of his free throws.

"CD-R is fearless when he's attacking the basket," Lopez said. "He isn't afraid of anybody. In the Denver game (Nov. 4), you saw him go at Carmelo (Anthony) pretty much the whole first half, just frustrating him. He's a very talented, great player and I love playing with the guy, so it's definitely good to see he's getting back to his old self."

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