The Nets were at a loss for words after Wednesday night’s game, a 105-103 loss to the Trail Blazers, slipped away in brutal fashion, their 14th defeat in 17 games.

Jacque Vaughn admitted that there must be an accumulation of reasons why they cannot produce a consistent 48-minute game.

However, allowing too many offensive rebounds and the lack of paint protection were at the top of the list.

“They were able to get to our rim 36 times, 16 second-chance points,” the head coach said. “Any time you get drives, the drives, if they don’t go in, they are going to equate to the ability to [get] the offensive rebound. That’s why you want guys taking jump shots. It gives you a better chance to rebound the basketball.

“I just thought overall we left some on the table at the beginning of the game, first half, of knowing, personnel-wise, who was going to drive the basketball and who could get to the rim. So, that’s a big piece of protecting the paint and knowing who are drivers and who are shooters.”

The Nets pride themselves on being rim protectors and are third in the league in rebounds per game (46.4).

In the two games prior against the Cavaliers and the Heat, the Nets were competitive defensively despite the outcomes.

They limited Cleveland to 34 points in the paint and outscored the Cavs on the interior, posting 46 points.

The Nets limited the Heat to six offensive rebounds and were even with them in the paint, each scoring 40 interior points.

They also accumulated nine steals and nine blocks against Miami.

However, Portland, who before the game ranked last in the NBA in points, shooting, offensive rating, and effective field goal percentage, got the best of them by holding a 41-33 rebounding advantage and outscoring Brooklyn 50-40 in the paint.

Additionally, the Nets committed 11 turnovers, the Blazers turning those miscues into 19 points.

“They had a lot of finishes in the paint,” center Nic Claxton said. “I think I could have been more solid protecting the rim for us tonight. Definitely should have had some more blocks. Getting swept by Portland definitely leaves a bad taste in your mouth. We can’t fold. We just got to keep working.”

Claxton had one block on the night.

In the final minutes, as the Nets’ 11-point lead slipped away, the lack of defensive execution was clear as Portland guard Anfernee Simons easily drove into the paint for a game-winning floater.

Poor communication was the culprit.

Mikal Bridges said he was calling Spencer Dinwiddie over to help him double-team Simons, but it was too late by the time Dinwiddie made the move.

“Yeah, it’s over with now,” said Bridges, the Nets’ top scorer. “Just gotta get ready for the next one.”

“I need to go re-watch it,” Claxton said. “I know we were going to double-team him. I don’t how he got a wide-open lane to the rim. It was a tough finish. He shot a floater right over me. It was a tough finish for sure.”

What has to change to prevent those opportunities at the rim for the remainder of the trip and by extension, the already slipping season?

Bridges doesn’t know.

“I have no clue,” he said. “We just all gotta figure it out.”

On Friday, the Nets will face the Lakers (21-21), who have lost five of their last 10 games, followed by the Clippers (26-14) to end the road trip only to come back home to face the rival Knicks (24-17) on Tuesday.