Nets' NBA life after Nash starts with loss

Brooklyn's horrible start to the NBA season has continued against Chicago in New York.

The Nets lost their fourth game in five this week, going down 108-99 at home just hours after head coach Steve Nash was fired.

Up 80-77 at the final break, Nets interim Jacque Vaughn watched Zach Lavine get hot in the fourth with 20 points to finish with 29 and lead the Bull's 24-11 run home.

"We are all aggressive and sometimes you catch a rhythm," LaVine, who is managing his left knee after undergoing off-season surgery, said.

"That's all I am looking to do. It's my fifth game back and catch a rhythm. I am feeling better each game."

Kevin Durant scored 20 points in the first half on his way to a game-high 32. Kyrie Irving failed to register a single point in the opening two terms for the first time in four years, and seventh time of his career. The under-fire star guard finished with just two buckets as the Nets fell to 2-6 for the season.

Durant found out on television that Nash was removed after waking up from an afternoon nap. He said he was not approached by upper management about the decision.

"It was a roller coaster last few years, but the core of the basketball is something we all love to do," he said.

"Regardless of who is the coach, regardless the circumstances, you still got to come to work, and I enjoyed coming to work with Steve."

Australia's Ben Simmons watched on from courtside on Tuesday night, missing his second straight game with left knee soreness. Compatriot Patty Mills flew the flag with nine points - all in the second quarter - including two from three-point range.

"The message I told the guys after, no excuses," Vaughn said.

"Whether it's back-to-backs, no excuses. Whether the change in scenery today, no excuses. This is what we do for a living. We signed up for it."

In Oklahoma City, Josh Giddey was back to help the Thunder to a 116-108 home win over the struggling Orlando Magic.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander top-scored with 34 points as OKC rallied from 15 points down in the second half to record their fourth straight win.

Aussie guard Giddey, who last season became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, returned after missing three games with an ankle injury.

He was as ever busy with seven points, one rebound, 10 assists, one steal and a block in 25 minutes.

Another Melbournian in Jock Landale chipped in with four points in 16 minutes, but it was Cameron Johnson with 29 who led the Phoenix Suns (6-1) to a 116-107 success over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Golden State, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory on the road after they were beaten 116-109 by the Heat in Miami.

Max Strus led all scorers with 24 points and Jimmy Butler had 23 as the Heat overcame a triple-double from Stephen Curry (23 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists) as the defending-champion Warriors dropped to 3-5.

With AP.