Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson has had to step up this season after several players have left the team. Johnson's usage rate has climbed since his arrival in

The Brooklyn Nets (14-26) came into Tuesday's game at the Portland Trail Blazers (13-26) on a five-game losing streak with the players feeling frustrated with the recent bout of losing. Despite the fact that starting center Nic Claxton wasn't available due to right hamstring soreness,

Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell returned Tuesday night for the decimated Nets, though Nic Claxton got added to their long injury list. Brooklyn had been winless in the five straight games that Johnson had missed with a right ankle sprain.