The Nets finally showed some of the spirit and pride coach Avery Johnson hoped to see from them, but it came after LeBron James and the Miami Heat had built a 21-point cushion.

The Nets got within six, but the Heat were never really threatened. Even though Miami missed so many shots inside and free throws that allowed the Nets to hang around, when the Heat needed a bucket, James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh delivered or made the pass that led to the score.

That’s a luxury the Nets wish they had, so many teams wish they had it – multiple stars who can make plays. But if there is anything the Nets should take out of their 108-94 loss, it was that they came back, something they didn’t do against the Rockets or the 76ers.

They came back with a small lineup and with Travis Outlaw hitting shots and getting to the line. But more than anything, they came back. They gave fans a reason to stay to the end and a reason for coach Johnson to keep playing Deron Williams.

When it was a 21-point game in the first half it appeared this would go the way of the Rockets’ game and of the Sixers’ game and then there would be no reason to play Williams.

But Johnson put the game in his All-Star point guard’s hands and he did what he could, finishing with 18 points and 12 assists. But the Nets needed more. Losers of 10 of their last 11, the Nets need more.

The Heat’s Big Three combined to shoot 23-for-40, score 65 points, grab 21 rebounds and dish out 14 assists.

The Nets didn’t have a 20-point scorer, got 12 rebounds from their starting five, including just three from Brook Lopez, and collectively shot 40 percent. It was surprising they were in the game in the second half.

“We battled,” Johnson said. “I told the guys we missed 16 makeable shots in the first half. That’s a lot of shots. But we made some of those to help cut the deficit. But their key players took over.”

The Nets definitely missed Kris Humphries. No one is saying they would have won if the Nets’ top rebounder and most physical player wasn’t watching from the bench with ankle and foot injuries. But you have to believe these numbers would have looked a little different if No. 43 was in the game:

• * Rebounds: Heat 50, Nets 30
• * Points in the paint: Heat 60, Nets 30
• * Blocked shots: Heat 4, Nets 0

The Nets had no presence inside. James got inside whenever he wanted, Wade, too. There weren’t many contested shots in the paint by the Nets. And it would have been worse if the Heat hadn’t missed layups and dunks.

“We’ve got to try something different at the power forward spot,” Johnson said, “because nothing we’ve tried has worked so far.”

Johan Petro started Friday in Philadelphia and was pulled quickly. Brandan Wright started last night and was pulled quicker – 2:42 into the game – and he stayed glued to the bench until the final 47.9 seconds.

Johnson doesn’t have many choices at power forward. He could try Outlaw, but he seems to be better coming off the bench. But it’s something Johnson is going to have to decide for Tuesday’s game.

Humphries is out for at least that game, if not longer, when the Nets play Minnesota, but they may get lucky and play the T-Wolves without rebounder extraordinaire Kevin Love due to a groin injury.

Nets shooting guard Anthony Morrow is a question mark with tendinitis in his left knee that limited him to just five minutes in the second half against the Heat. Although he came out of these last three games fine, you can’t be sure about Williams’ status due to his wrist and with the Nets not playing for anything.
 
So Johnson may make multiple changes to the starting lineup with Tuesday and Wednesday’s back-to-back with Minnesota and at Detroit. But the biggest thing Johnson would like to change is how the Nets start and the final result.

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Follow me on Twitter: @Al_Iannazzone

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Al Iannazzone covers the Nets for The Record (Bergen County, N.J.)