WHAT IT MEANS: The Nets nearly rallied back from an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but came up short in a 106-99 loss to the Pacers on Tuesday night in Indiana, and have now lost two straight. The Nets (7-15, 5-9 road) shot 47.3 percent from the field and knocked down 12 3-pointers, but allowed the Pacers (14-6, 6-1 home) to connect on 52.1 percent of their shots and get to the free throw stripe 36 times. The Nets were also outrebounded 43-34, lost the points in the paint battle 42-26 and gave up 21 fastbreak points, while scoring just nine themselves.

D-WILL: Deron Williams continues to carry the Nets. The All-Star point guard scored a game-high 34 points on 10-for-20 shooting -- including 4-for-9 from 3-point range and 10-for-12 from the line -- and added seven assists.

A-MO: Anthony Morrow chipped in with a season-high 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting and 5-for-8 from downtown.

TURNING POINT: The Pacers closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run, then opened the fourth on a 15-6 run to take a 97-79 lead with 8:34 left. The Nets proceed to score 20 of the next 25 points to get within 102-99, but Danny Granger came up with a crucial offensive rebound in the final minute, allowing the Pacers to hang on.

STAT OF THE NIGHT: Because of injuries to MarShon Brooks, Mehmet Okur and DeShawn Stevenson, the Nets were forced to start their 11th different lineup in their first 22 games. The Pacers have now beaten the Nets nine straight times.

PLAY OF THE GAME: D-Will’s monster dunk in the first quarter. It wasn’t Blake Griffin-Kendrick Perkins amazing, but it sure was close.

UP NEXT: Nets vs. Pistons, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.