Lakers can’t overcome slow start, fall to the Nets, 107-99

After a poor first quarter, the Lakers spent the rest of Sunday afternoon playing catch up against the Brooklyn Nets.

Ultimately their late run fell short and the Nets pulled out their third win a row, 107-99, at Barclays Center.

Brook Lopez led the Nets with a game-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Jordan Hill returned to action after sitting for three games, with the Lakers choosing to develop younger players. Hill was a force off the bench with 22 points and 16 rebounds in 27 minutes.

Brooklyn’s Joe Johnson neared a triple-double with 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Markel Brown scored a career-high 17 points, while Deron Williams finished with 13 points and nine assists.

The Lakers got 18 points from Jordan Clarkson (with seven assists), 17 from Wesley Johnson, 13 from Wayne Ellington and 11 from Jabari Brown.

Brooklyn shot 48.3% from the field with eight turnovers. The Lakers shot 46.2% with 11 miscues.

Jeremy Lin sat out with an upper respiratory infection. Ed Davis and Carlos Boozer were held out by Coach Byron Scott. The Nets were without Thaddeus Young (knee).

The Lakers tied the Nets in both the second and third quarters, outscored their opponent, 25-22, in the fourth -- but could never overcome Brooklyn’s 30-19 first-period advantage.

The Nets got a badly needed win as they are right on the cusp of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers can hardly afford victories given their chase for a top pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

With the loss, the Lakers fall to 19-53. They’ll play the final contest of a five-game road trip on Monday, visiting the Philadelphia (18-55). The Nets (32-40) are off until Tuesday, hosting another playoff bubble team in the Indiana Pacers (31-41).

Nets 85, Lakers 74 (end of third quarter)

Another solid quarter for the Lakers, but the Nets still hold a double-digit lead after three quarters.

Three Lakers have 14 points, including reserve Jordan Hill with 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. Jordan Clarkson and Wesley Johnson also have 14, with Clarkson leading the team with five assists.

Wayne Ellington was also in double figures with 10 points for the Lakers, who are shooting 47.8% from the field.

Brook Lopez continues to dominate, scoring 24 points with 10 rebounds and three blocked shots in 31 minutes.

Markel Brown has a career high with 15 points, matched by teammate Joe Johnson.

The Nets are shooting 50.7% from the field with four turnovers. The Lakers have nine miscues.

Nets 61, Lakers 50 (halftime)

The Lakers were more competitive in the second quarter, but after getting within five points, their deficit to the Nets climbed right back to 11 by halftime.

Both teams scored 31 in the period, Brook Lopez leading the way with 16 points on eight-of-11 shooting. Joe Johnson was the only other double-digit scorer with 12.

The Lakers shot 51.2% from the field, getting nine from both Jordan Clarkson and Jordan Hill, along with eight each from Wayne Ellington and Jabari Brown.

The Nets shot 54.0%, getting nine points from Deron Williams and Markel Brown.

The Lakers hurt themselves with seven turnovers, while forcing just three Brooklyn miscues.

Hill pulled in nine rebounds in 11 1/2 minutes. Williams dished seven assists in almost 17 minutes.

Nets 30, Lakers 19 (end of first quarter)

The Lakers were out-played by the Nets, falling behind by 11 points.

Brook Lopez scored a quick 12 points, Deron Williams had nine and Markel Brown seven. The Nets shot 53.8% from the field without a turnover.

The Lakers hit 47.4% while turning the ball over three times.

Jordan Clarkson was the Lakers’ high scorer at six points. Wayne Ellington scored five.

Jordan Hill returned to play after Coach Byron Scott sat him recently to develop younger players. Ed Davis likely will sit out Sunday for similar reasons, along with Carlos Boozer.

Thaddeus Young (knee) is out for the Nets.

Pregame

The Lakers (19-52) visit the Brooklyn Nets (31-40) on Sunday afternoon.

The Nets have won two in a row, hoping to climb from ninth place into a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Jeremy Lin will sit with an upper respiratory infection. Nick Young is also out with a knee injury for the Lakers, while Ronnie Price (elbow), Kobe Bryant (shoulder), Julius Randle (knee) and Steve Nash (back) are all done for the season.

Brooklyn will play without Mirza Teletovic (chest) and Sergey Karasev (knee). Thaddeus Young is questionable, also with a knee injury.

For an in-depth breakdown, check out check out check out Preview: Lakers at Brooklyn Nets.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.