NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets (15-42) had some unexpected travel issues affecting them with the blizzard that New York City was hit with over the weekend. Brooklyn had to fly back to the Big Apple early on Tuesday, but the Dallas Mavericks (21-36) had to do the same thing. However, the Nets just couldn't make the necessary plays to end their losing streak at home.
The Nets lost to the Mavericks on Tuesday 123-114 in a matchup where Brooklyn never allowed the game to get into blowout territory, but they also couldn't put themselves in a position to tie the game. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had 26 points and three assists while forward Noah Clowney had one of his best games of the season with 22 points and five rebounds of his own.
Dallas did not have the services of Cooper Flagg or Kyrie Irving, but they had forward Marvin Bagley III going off for 22 points and five rebounds off the bench to complement forward Naji Marshall's 21 points and seven assists. The Nets have one more left left on their home stint on Thursday against the San Antonio Spurs, but for now, here are the Nets player grades after Tuesday's loss to the Mavericks:
Nolan Traore: B+
Traore had some shooting struggles in this game as he couldn't make it good on some of the long-range looks he saw against an exploitable Mavericks defense. Aside from that, Traore did a good job of finishing around the rim and in the mid-range and more importantly, he did a great job of passing the ball and setting up his teammates without turning the ball over.
Egor Demin: C-
Demin struggled mightily with his shot in this one as he couldn't get anything to fall from the perimeter despite getting some open looks. Demin has been lights-out shooting the three-pointer this season, but he hasn't had his shot falling as of late, exposing some of his flaws in making more of an impact when the rookie isn't feeling it from deep.
Michael Porter Jr.: B
Porter did a great job scoring against the Mavericks despite most of his shots being at least somewhat-defended, but it looked like he was comfortable on the offensive end during the entire game. Porter strangely wasn't particularly involved in the rebounding portion of the game, but outside of that, he did a great job of being efficient with his offensive touches.
Noah Clowney: A
Clowney had one of his best games of the season and it was because of how aggressive he was attacking the rim and being confident while shooting the ball from the perimeter. Clowney has had some extended shooting ruts this season, but this was one game where he showed his entire package when his shot is falling and he's engaged on both ends of the floor.
Nic Claxton: B+
Claxton had a tough matchup going against Daniel Gafford and Marvin Bagley III, but he did what he could to mitigate the production given up to Dallas' frontcourt over the course of the game. Claxton did a great job of scoring in the paint along with setting up his teammates with some slick passes within the structure of Brooklyn's offense.
Danny Wolf: D
Wolf struggled with his shot overall as he couldn't get much to fall from the perimeter and the Mavericks' defense didn't give him many opportunities to attack the rim. Wolf was solid on the glass during his time on the floor, but he struggled with turnovers when he was trying to create something for himself or his teammates in the open floor.
Day'Ron Sharpe: C-
Sharpe has had better days finishing around the rim as it seemed he had some difficulty finishing with the likes of Gafford and Bagley lurking around in the paint. Sharpe struggled with turnovers and fouls during his stints off the bench, but he will bounce back with some encouraging performances as the season continues.
Terance Mann: B+
Mann was mostly quiet through the first three quarters of this game, but he woke up in the fourth quarter as he seemingly couldn't miss from anywhere on the floor. Mann has done a great job this season of being the steady veteran presence on the court and in the locker room, but this matchup reminded onlookers that he still has plenty of gas in the tank.
Ochai Agbaji: B
Agbaji, as he has done since being acquired by the Nets via trade heading into the deadline, did a great job of spreading the floor during his bench minutes. Agbaji has proven to be one of the better shooters on the team since his arrival and if he can combine that with his juice on the defensive end of the floor, he could solidify his place in the rotation.
Drake Powell: C-
Powell saw some significant playing time against the Mavericks, but he didn't make much of an impact in the game on either end of the floor. Powell has the ability to be a difference-maker on both ends of the court, but he is still learning how to be that guy for the Nets. It looks like he's on the right track and that's what Brooklyn wants to see over the rest of the season.
This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets player grades after 123-114 loss to the Mavericks