That was brutal.

The Nets taunted and teased their fans for 58 minutes before ultimately succumbing in double overtime to the Heat in Game 3 last night, 108-105. It was hard to know what was worse: falling behind 3-0 to Miami, or watching Alonzo Mourning celebrate like he’d just won the lottery after grabbing a game-clinching rebound late in the second overtime.

As exciting as it was, let’s be honest: Both teams deserved to lose. This was one of the worst-played games of the season, all around. Even the most dramatic moment, Vince Carter’s game-tying shot at the end of overtime, required four tries before the Nets finally found the basket. In the last 90 seconds of regulation and the two overtimes, the teams combined to shoot 5-for-18, and one of the makes was a meaningless shot accidentally banked in at the final buzzer by Carter.

That’s not all. The two clubs combined to miss 24 foul shots – they hit just 62%, which is about what a high school team might shoot on an off-night. Additionally, they seemed to think the team that missed the most open jumpers would be declared the winner. If so, Jason Collins was the game’s MVP.

For their part, the officials seemed to determine to screw the stars at every opportunity. Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter continually went to the basket and drew contact, only to get shafted by the zebras. As a result, the two combined for as many turnovers (16) as free throws, and missed an amazing 35 shots between them.

Nets fans can take solace in one thing: Richard Jefferson. The forward returned to action in Game 1, but he wasn’t back until this contest. In the first quarter, Jefferson came down on the break and uncorked a spectacular statue-of-liberty dunk that fueled a 14-2 New Jersey run. It was the first time all series the Nets had put the Heat on their heels, and Jefferson kept up the effort all evening. He finished with 23 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.

Moreover, Jefferson’s return revived the Nets’ moribund fast break. With RJ charging down the right wing, Jason Kidd had some company when he pushed the ball upcourt, and it led to several dunks for Jefferson. Unfortunately, the last of those breaks produced the game’s key play, when Jefferson missed a wide-open lay-up that would have tied the game in the second overtime.

Nonetheless, it was his return that allowed the Nets to be competitive after getting thrashed by Miami in the teams’ five previous meetings this season. For a team that considers it a moral victory when any of its bench players scores in double figures, getting 23 off the pine from Jefferson was enormous. Carter shot horribly for the third straight game (15-for-37) and New Jersey shot 3-for-23 from the 3-point line, yet they were able to stay in the game. That was entirely because of the boost from Jefferson, and at the very least it’s a nice omen for next season.

Unfortunately, the reason Jefferson made such a difference was because of what he replaced. For reasons known only to him, Nets coach Lawrence Frank again started Brian Scalabrine at small forward, despite mountains of evidence that he was unsuitable for the task. Scalabrine didn’t make a basket in Game 2 or Game 3, and his attempts to guard Damon Jones have often left the Miami sharpshooter wide open.

In a different series (Detroit 2004, for instance), Scalabrine might have some value, but in this matchup he is totally useless. Frank should have started Travis Best, who could stay with Jones and give New Jersey’s offense more life. Instead, the Nets opened each half at a deficit (15-10 in the first, 8-7 in the second) before Jefferson relieved Scalabrine.

Hopefully that’s become a moot point. After watching Jefferson explode, Nets fans might riot if he doesn’t start Game 4. Any lingering doubt was removed after the game, when Scalabrine received an envelope stuffed with cash from Pat Riley. Okay, I embellished the last part a bit, but Scalabrine really has been killing the Nets these past few games. They already need one non-scorer on the floor because Collins has to cover Shaq. That’s manageable, but with two non-scorers it’s an open invitation for the Heat to swarm Vince Carter, and they’ve taken the Nets up on the offer all series long. New Jersey’s starting forwards, Scalabrine and Collins, have combined for one basket in the past two games – you can’t win that way.

While the odds are grim, New Jersey’s season isn’t over yet. Of all people, local sports fans should know that a 3-0 lead in a series isn’t a guarantee. The Nets showed they’re a real threat to the Heat with a healthy Jefferson contributing, and with him in the starting lineup on Sunday New Jersey has a good chance at staying alive.

But the Nets need to make some adjustments if they want to send the series back to Miami. First and foremost is ending Carter’s horrific slump. As hot as he was to end the season, he’s equally cold now. Here’s how cold: His 15-for-37 performance last night was his best shooting of the series.

The Nets have been running pick-and-roll plays with Carter and Nenad Krstic, but the Heat have blitzed Carter with multiple defenders and forced him to make passes off the dribble, which isn’t his specialty. What Frank should do is call more misdirection plays that use Jefferson’s availability.

An example of misdirection is a play that starts with a postup for Jefferson. Meanwhile, Carter curls off the opposite wing for a jumper and Jefferson hits him with a pass. With the Heat’s help defenders focused on Jefferson, Carter would have more room to operate. There are hundreds of other variations that Frank can design with Jefferson and Kidd, but the important part is that he has to make it harder for the Heat to bottle up Carter.

Even if the Nets do win Sunday’s battle, however, the war has probably been lost. That’s what made last night’s setback so painful. If the Nets had pulled it out, it’s 2-1 and New Jersey has a chance to tie the series at home on Sunday with a healthy Jefferson. Instead, the Nets are making contingency plans for Monday tee times at Baltusrol. While Jefferson’s exploits lightened the mood a bit, this game was one serious bummer.