The Nets beat the Hornets 97-89 after a fourth quarter in which Brooklyn found itself on the wrong end of a 24-12 tally by way of Charlotte. Nic Claxton had one of his better games of the season as he put up 16 points,

Nic Claxton scored 16 points and the Brooklyn Nets pulled away after LaMelo Ball was lost to another ankle injury and beat the Charlotte Hornets 97-89 on Monday night.

The Brooklyn Nets are 4-1 over their last five games, and their surging defense is responsible. Jordi Fernandez’s squad ranks first defensively during the winning stretch, allowing 96.6 points per game on 40.

The Brooklyn Nets (19-34) have been playing some stout defense over the past couple of weeks as they seek to win games without having to put up a ton of points against their opponents. In Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets (13-38),