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Nets Pay Tribute to NBA Trailblazer Earl Lloyd Before Suffering Tough Loss to Rockets, 102-98

HOUSTON – Unlike Jackie Robinson, the courageous Brooklyn Dodgers player who broke the color barrier in baseball, Hollywood has yet to make a blockbuster film about Earl Lloyd.

NBA players are telling that story, telling the story of the regal man who became the first African-American to play in a league now dominated by men of color.

Lloyd, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 86, crossed the NBA’s color line on Oct. 31, 1950. Of course, no player on the Brooklyn Nets was alive at that time but they know full well who Lloyd was and what he accomplished.

“Forever grateful, forever indebted for the doors he opened for all of us,’’ Nets guard Jarrett Jack said after Friday morning’s shootaround. “Just pushing the envelope as far as equality is concerned on all fronts.’’

Before the Nets dropped a 102-98 decision to Houston on Friday night in the Toyota Center, the Rockets honored Lloyd with a moment of silence.

The Nets led 95-90 with 2:34 to play but missed four straight shots, allowing the Rockets to go on a decisive 8-0 spurt. Deron Williams and Mason Plumlee scored 15 points each to lead six Nets in double figures.

The Nets (23-33) play in Dallas on Saturday night with a chance to go 3-2 on this road trip. Houston improved to 40-18.

Nets Coach Lionel Hollins said he spoke with Lloyd a couple of years ago and was impressed with how Lloyd conducted himself more than how he played.

“Earl told me, ‘Hey, I’m not a hero. I’m just trying to play basketball and earn a living,’ ’’ Hollins said. “That’s how he looked it at. And doing what he did, the way he did it, he became a hero.’’

Lloyd played for the Washington Capitols before leading the Syracuse Nationals to the 1955 NBA title. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He said he never had trouble with teammates or opposing players.

He did endure his share of grief from ignorant fans and was once barred from staying in the team hotel, but never took the race bait.

Like Robinson, he just wanted a chance to play a game he loved and make a living at it.

“He definitely paved the way for the game today,’’ said Deron Williams. “Sad to see that he passed. My prayers are with his family.’’

KEY STRETCH: The Nets took a 95-90 lead with 2:34 left when Brook Lopez tipped in his own miss. The Nets had a chance to pull out their biggest road win of the season. But the Rockets responded with an 8-0 run as the Nets missed their next four shots.

KEY PLAY I: The Nets had a chance to put some real pressure on the Rockets. But Joe Johnson missed a shot in the lane with 1:23 left and Lopez missed a follow. The Nets got caught in a switch on defense, leaving Patrick Beverley open from the wing. He buried a 3, tying the score at 95-95. Talk about a dagger.

KEY PLAY II: Markel Brown was called for an away-from-the-ball foul with 43 seconds remaining as the Rockets were attempting to inbound the ball. Who drew it? Who else? James Harden sold the call. He converted the free throw for a 96-95 lead. Then he stuck a fade-back jumper for a 98-95 lead.

“He stayed with it,’’ Jack said of Harden. “Got some of the calls down the stretch that superstar kind of guys get.’’

KEY STAT: Every time a Nets player went to the line, the PA announcer would say, "Noisy free throws!” Alabama Coach Nick Saban would have been proud at how well the Nets blocked out the noise. They went 18 of 20 from the line, making their first 15.

NETS GAINS: The Nets' rookies didn’t play like rookies. Lionel Hollins, never one to fall in love with first-year players, has developed confidence in Markel Brown and Cory Jefferson. Brown had a career-high 11 points to go along with four rebounds. Jefferson scored three points and grabbed four rebounds in less than 10 minutes of play.

TALK: The rookie Brown did a terrific defensive job on Harden, who is considered an MVP candidate, holding him to 5-of-14 shooting, including 0 for 4 on three-pointers.

“It was crazy. I guess when you’re scared out there, it makes you be a little aware of who you’re guarding," said Brown. "Harden’s a great player and I was out there just trying to do my best against him.

“I would never let the other player know that I’m scared. But I think it’s always a good thing to be scared sometimes. It keeps you aware of your surroundings and the person that you’re guarding and it never let me take a play off.’’