THE Brooklyn fillets (14-28) had been coming off the worst loss in franchise historical past in Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Clippers, so they only thought nothing could possibly be worse than what occurred in opposition to the Clippers . Throughout a match Friday in opposition to the Los Angeles LakersBrooklyn was simply hoping to remain within the recreation lengthy sufficient to have an opportunity to drag off an upset and that is what occurred.
Regardless of a failure by D’Angelo Russell, the Nets misplaced to Lakers 102-101 in what was alleged to be a revenge recreation for Russell, who had 19 factors, six rebounds and eight assists coming off the bench. Ziaire Williams had 15 factors and Tosan Evbuomwan had 15 factors and 6 rebounds off the bench to proceed his spectacular streak for Brooklyn after being one of many Two-Manner crew’s latest signings.
THE Nets performed effectively sufficient to win this recreation because it was a one-point recreation, however Brooklyn turned the ball over 17 occasions and allowed Austin Reaves and LeBron James to mix for 67 factors. In a recreation the place the Nets virtually pulled off an upset in opposition to a crew led by James and Reaves, listed below are three takeaways for the Nets from Friday’s loss to the Lakers:
D’Angelo Russell
Russell returned to Los Angeles for the primary time since being acquired by the Nets in trade for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton. Russell stated earlier than the sport that the Lakers held a particular place in his coronary heart due to the time he spent there throughout his profession, whereas making it clear that Friday’s recreation was simply one other recreation in opposition to his previous crew.
The way in which he performed made it appear to be the sport was greater than only a regular recreation, as he tried to make many massive performs all through the sport, together with taking the final shot that might have capped his revenge recreation on a superb be aware if his three-point shot fell. This is what Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez needed to say about Russell’s recreation total, together with his late-game taking pictures:
“He scored 19 factors, 5 of 10 from three, and he simply made just a few photographs. So, I’ll let these skilled guys shoot. That is a shot I noticed from him.”
Ziaire Williams
Williams has been taking part in effectively for the Nets since coming back from a sprained left knee that stored him off the ground for many of December. Since then, Williams has been referred to as upon to offer as a lot manufacturing as earlier than, if no more, as a result of quantity of accidents Brooklyn has confronted not too long ago and Dorian Finney-Smith being traded to the Lakers, leaving a void on the one of many factors made.
Williams put up a superb total line in opposition to the Lakers dropping 15 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists whereas taking part in robust perimeter protection like Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and others. Over his final 9 video games (eight begins), Williams has averaged 12.1 factors, 5.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals per recreation whereas taking pictures 44.2% from the sphere and 40.8% from three-point land in what seems to be a turning level in his improvement and a participant Brooklyn ought to spend money on. for the long run.
This is what Fernandez needed to say about Williams’ latest play:
“He is finished a fantastic job within the health club and he is been working and that is why he has confidence, I feel it is fairly easy. You see, he is been out for a short time and he is been working lots, and it It is lots of repetitions, then coming in and being assured. We all know his superpower is his size and his defensive depth, however we additionally want him to try this, to take the best photographs, and so he does. nice job. job.”
Tosan Evbuomwan
Evbuomwan not too long ago signed with the Nets to be certainly one of three Two-Manner gamers on the roster, however you would not realize it with how concerned he has been since becoming a member of the crew. Evbuomwan has performed in eight video games for the Nets thus far this season and after Friday’s loss to the Lakers, he’s averaging. 11.0 factors, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 55.9% from the sphere and 33.3% from deep.
One of many facets of Evbuomwan’s recreation that stands out probably the most is his potential to attain from mid-range even when it looks as if his defender is throughout him. Evbuomwan’s potential to stand up within the face of defensive strain and transfer at his personal tempo, regardless of who’s guarding him, is one thing that has Fernandez saying he performs like a veteran regardless of being such a younger participant (shall be 24 on February 16).
At a time when there’s lots of uncertainty dealing with the Nets as a consequence of accidents and the opportunity of different gamers being traded, Evbuomwan has proven that he’s already deserving of NBA minutes given how effectively he has performed and if Brooklyn finds themselves in one other unlucky scenario, they know they’ll name on Evbuomwan to ship. This is what Evbuomwan needed to say about his efficiency since becoming a member of the Nets:
“It is enormous for confidence. It is positively confidence coming into a brand new scenario and it is good to have it straight away. Clearly, it is one thing you need to earn. These guys – there give me confidence, the technical workers, the gamers, each time I am going on the pitch I cherished being right here. We clearly did not get the outcomes we needed, however I cherished my keep. right here and I am excited to continue to grow right here.
This text was initially revealed on Nets Wire: 3 Nets takeaways from 102-101 loss to Lakers
