The Nets finally had a breakthrough, but barely.
They couldn’t hold on to an early lead, yet they squeezed out a victory in the final quarter, something they failed to do in five of the last six games.
The 106-104 victory over the Rockets on Saturday night at Barclays Center marks the Nets’ 18th of the season and first since a road win against the Lakers on Jan. 19.
Cam Thomas showed his value as a starter in place of Cam Johnson, who was out for personal reasons. Thomas scored a game-high 37 points — his eighth 30-plus point game this season.
Mikal Bridges added 19, shooting 6-for-14 overall and 3-for-8 from deep.
Dorian Finney-Smith contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks over 31 minutes before he left the game with a left ankle injury.
He exited the game with 3:45 left in the third quarter after looking shaken up following a block of a Cam Whitmore shot.
The Nets took an 88-70 lead into the fourth quarter, but the Rockets tested them, getting within six points with 5:14 to go.
After a dunk from Whitmore changed the energy in Barclays Center, Dillon Brooks fouled Nic Claxton, who missed both free throws.
Whitmore charged the other end on the following possession to drain a 3-pointer to make it 97-91.
A Fred VanVleet turnover led to a 3-pointer from Thomas to make it 101-93. But a 1-for-2 trip to the line by Spencer Dinwiddie and a jumper from Brooks got the Rockets within five with 2:14 to go.
Things continued to get dicey for the Nets down the stretch. Alperen Segun missed the second of two free throws with 10.1 seconds to play, allowing the Nets to hold a 103-99 advantage.
But Spencer Dinwiddie’s attempt to corral the rebound failed.
The ball eventually wound up in the hands of Amen Thompson, who drilled a step-back 3-pointer for a 103-102 game with 7.1 seconds to play.
Thomas made a pair at the other end for a 105-102 lead before Bridges fouled VanVleet to prevent a 3-point attempt. VanVleet made the first free throw and purposely missed the second.
The Nets again failed to secure the rebound and Segun wound up on the line, making one of two to again trim Brooklyn’s lead to 105-104 with 2.4 seconds left.
Dinwiddie made one of two on the other end, but the Nets this time grabbed the rebound and the win.
The Nets shot 56.1 percent from the field during the first half and limited the Rockets to 35 percent shooting overall and 26.7 percent from beyond the arc.
Thomas was on a roll from the start, scoring 11 points, shooting 5-for-8 in the opening quarter.
Claxton posted a double-double of 10 points and 13 boards and held down the paint for the Nets.
Segun finished the game with 15 points, shooting 6-for-13 from the field. Brooks and Jalen Green each finished with 19.
Saturday was a somewhat positive end to a tough week for the Nets, but what lies ahead is Ben Simmons’ return, which they hope puts their previous losing skid behind them.