The hosts routed the Hornets 32-11 in the opening quarter and despite losing the next quarter by a single point, they went to their locker room with a 68 to 48 lead.
The Nets regrouped after the break and took the 3rd with a 7-point margin to widen the gap to 27 points. However, the visitors did not give up and won the final quarter 24-19, but the deficit was too large to overcome and they eventually lost the match.
The Nets will travel to Chicago to play against the Bulls on Saturday whereas the Hornets will meet the Pacers in Indiana on Friday.