Coach Jacque Vaughn optimistic about Nets' improved effort amid loss vs Rockets

Though they ended up succumbing to their fifth straight game and 10 of their last 12, head coach Jacque Vaughn still sees a little optimism around the Brooklyn Nets after their 112-101 defeat against the Houston Rockets.

Considering the lifeless demonstration that they showed last Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Vaughn felt impressed about the much-improved energy and effort that his team provided even on the second night of their back-to-back road games by battling the Rockets.

A much positive performance

From the absence of fighting spirit throughout the entire 48 minutes of their play against New Orleans, Brooklyn at least has shown a much different and stronger fighting approach in facing Houston. But in the end, it was not enough.

Capitalizing on the opponents' 15-high turnover count, the Nets even brought an intriguing 50-49 lead heading to the dugout. But in the third frame, the Rockets turned it up by blasting a 24-6 run en route to a 38-25 third-quarter scoring.

While the Nets tried to fight back, they weren't able to match the Rockets' burst to pull off the finishing touches with a win.

"I think showing how we responded today, the way we began the game, that we were in the game at halftime, shows that this group is continuing to play hard and try to play for each other," Vaughn said in post-game. "I do like the fact that they aren't accepting where we are right now."

Continue the fight and resilience

Amid their ongoing downslide, Vaughn continues to keep his head high for his slumping Brooklyn team.

As they cap off their tiring four-game road trek with a winless track, the Nets tactician still stands dedicated to leading his team to a significant turnaround

"I'm going to continue to hold them to a standard," Vaughn said. "They deserve that. This will make us better as a team. We'll grow from this together, but the belief part of it has to be the first part of getting out of this hole."