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.

Nets: With one game to go, the Nets should feel good about they are playing going into the All-Star break. They've now won consecutive games at home for the first time this season. KEY MOMENT ...

By Brian Mahoney 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. Cam Johnson ...

The Nets were supposed to be the worst team in basketball, tabbed to win a league-low 19 games by the experts. They reached that before even hitting the All-Star break after smothering the Hornets ...

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller is aware that he and backcourt mate LaMelo Ball need to avoid any form of injury.