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Brook Lopez, Nets hand Knicks seventh straight loss, 109-98

Feb 20, 2016 - 4:00 AM NEW YORK (AP) The Brooklyn Nets made a good first impression on their new boss.

Brook Lopez tied a season high with 33 points and the Nets beat New York 109-98 on Friday night to hand the Knicks their seventh straight loss.

The Nets buried the Knicks under two big second-half runs and put six players in double figures in a strong showing in front of new general manager Sean Marks, the former Spurs assistant GM who was hired Thursday and wouldn't face such a big rebuilding job if the Nets could look like this more often.

His hiring, a day after the Nets practiced for the first time in their new Brooklyn training facility after finally moving their basketball headquarters from New Jersey, had spirits unusually high for a 15-40 team.

''We're 100 percent the Brooklyn Nets now,'' Lopez said. ''It's an exciting feeling to have everything situated out here. We're completely in New York and we obviously had a first, very positive step forward tonight.''

Lopez shot 13 of 23 from the field and added eight rebounds in dominating twin brother Robin, who had 10 points and seven boards.

Carmelo Anthony had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Knicks. Interim coach Kurt Rambis continues to say the playoffs are the Knicks' goal, but they may have blown any shot of that by losing 11 of their last 12 games since they were 22-22.

''We can't be giving away games like this,'' Anthony said. ''It's crunch time now.''

The Knicks led by five early in the third before the Nets stormed ahead with a 20-2 run for a 74-61 lead. Brooklyn shot 12 of 19 in the period (63 percent) and scored 34 points to take an 84-76 advantage to the fourth.

''I think the defensive end is really what got us off to a good start,'' forward Thaddeus Young said. ''We got a few steals, were able to get into transition and we were able to build a comfortable lead.''

New York cut it to three in the fourth before the Nets put it away with a 16-2 surge, with Lopez throwing down one dunk and feeding Young for another as the lead grew to 102-85 with about 5 1/2 minutes to play.

The Knicks committed 16 turnovers that led to 21 points.

''It all comes down to us not being able to execute our offense,'' Rambis said. ''They ramped up their defensive pressure and then turnovers.''

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 16 points and Donald Sloan had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Nets, who have won their first game after the All-Star break for five straight years.

TIP-INS

Knicks: The Knicks have lost four straight in Brooklyn, their longest road losing streak in the series since the Nets won seven in a row in New Jersey from March 9, 2001, to April 2, 2004. The overall series is tied 91-91. ... Rambis faces the last team he coached Saturday when the Knicks visit Minnesota. He was 32-132 in two seasons with the Timberwolves.

Nets: Brook Lopez moved past Richard Jefferson (8,507 points) into third place on the Nets' career scoring list. With 8,527 points, he trails Buck Williams (10,440) and Vince Carter (8,834).

ANOTHER CHANCE

The Knicks plan to sign Jimmer Fredette to a 10-day contract on Monday. The former college player of the year at BYU has played well for their NBA Development League team but has averaged just 6.0 points for three teams since he was the No. 10 pick in the 2011 draft.

''Sometimes it takes players a few years to figure out how to adjust to the game at the NBA level and we'll see if he's made those adjustments,'' Rambis said.

MAKING HIS MARK

A day after accepting his new job, Marks said he is aware of the Nets' challenges but is ready to face them after learning under Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford with the Spurs. He plans to start evaluating immediately and hopes to hire a coach and staff in the next few months.

''To be honest, it's time for me to see if I can do this,'' Marks said, ''and it's not on my own.''

UP NEXT

Knicks: Visit Minnesota on Saturday.

Nets: Host Charlotte on Sunday.