NEW YORK — The Brooklyn fillets (14-30) have been in a position to play in entrance of their dwelling crowd for the primary time in nearly two weeks once they had the chance to face Mikal Bridges and the New York Knicks (29-16) in Brooklyn for a change. Brooklyn nonetheless entered the sport with loads of accidents, however that they had sufficient to deliver New York to the brink of defeat earlier than Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities did what stars do.
After trailing or trailing the Knicks by means of the primary three quarters, the Nets misplaced to the Knicks 99-95 regardless of a fourth quarter that put a lot of the Barclays Middle again on its ft. D’Angelo Russell had one in all his greatest video games as a Internet with 23 factors, 10 assists and three blocks whereas Cam Johnson had 16 factors and three rebounds in a recreation that went right down to the wire.
Brunson had a sluggish recreation by means of the primary 36 minutes of the sport earlier than catching hearth within the fourth quarter to the tune of eight factors on 3-of-6 capturing from the sphere. Although the Nets Having misplaced by as many as 13 factors within the competitors, they managed to make a match in opposition to among the finest groups within the Jap Convention. Listed here are the Nets’ three takeaways from Tuesday’s loss:
D’Angelo Russell
Russell performed in his seventh recreation as a member of the Nets on Tuesday in opposition to the Knicks and he had maybe his greatest efficiency in his second stint with the group because of the way in which he labored his recreation on the offensive finish of the court docket . Not solely that, however he was additionally in a position to assist Cam Johnson decide up among the slack whereas additionally being the chief Brooklyn wants for the group to function inside their present offensive construction and magnificence of play.
Since Russell arrived in Brooklyn this season, he has made it clear that he’s seeking to the long run and never worrying about what occurred throughout his time with the Lakers and what led the group to alternate it. With the Nets, Russell finds himself in a unique position than he has been accustomed to in latest seasons for the reason that ball is in his palms on the vast majority of possessions, particularly when Ben Simmons is unavailable or not within the recreation.
Russell gave his perspective on what it means for him to tackle this new position:
“I am adapting, recalibrating a method of play that I have never performed shortly. Having the ball, understanding I’ll obtain it and creating for the blokes as effectively, understanding he’ll come again, simply discovering alternatives methods to achieve the belief of the coach the place he seems like he can get the ball in my palms and is aware of I’ll get it to the proper man, however I simply play like I stated, I do not I will not take this degree of freedom as a right. I simply come from the place I come from. It is a completely different fashion, so being right here, I settle for it.
Cam Johnson
Johnson performed in his second straight recreation for the Nets since coming back from a sprained proper ankle that price him the earlier two video games and 7 of the final 10 video games for Brooklyn. Johnson did not have his greatest efficiency in opposition to the Knicks as he scored 16 factors, however that got here on 6-of-20 capturing from the sphere, together with 2-of-9 from deep, each numbers that Nets followers have not often seen from Johnson given how effectively he has performed this season.
Johnson had a number of moments Tuesday the place he appeared like he was having bother pushing his proper ankle again, however he managed to beat the damage and play 35 minutes in a recreation that got here in opposition to among the finest . Jap Convention groups on the Knicks. Even when Johnson is not enjoying effectively, the gravity he creates attributable to his capturing and the way in which groups defend him now, he can nonetheless pave the way in which for gamers like Noah Clowney and Tyrese Martin to take benefit.
Here is what head coach Jordi Fernandez needed to say about his group’s efficiency in opposition to New York on Tuesday:
“I believed the blokes did an incredible job and we had an open shot from our greatest shooter to take the lead, and I will log off on that any day. Happy with the blokes, happy with the way in which they fought till the top, being disciplined, defending with out fouling, being bodily, I believed it was an incredible battle I believed the officers did an incredible job letting each groups play. Hope it was enjoyable for everybody right here, to look at everybody TV.
Mikal Bridges
One of many greatest tales from Tuesday’s recreation in opposition to the Knicks was Mikal Bridges’ return to the Barclays Middle for the primary time since he was traded from the Nets to New York in the course of the offseason. On the time, many individuals have been stunned that Brooklyn basic supervisor Sean Marks in the end determined to commerce Bridges given his feedback about constructing with Bridges on the roster, however after the haul the Nets obtained in alternate for Bridges, many think about this transfer a masterclass from Marks.
Earlier than Tuesday’s recreation, Bridges stated that he was excited to return to the Barclays Middle to see his former teammates and training employees that he obtained to know throughout his time in Brooklyn. Bridges did not have the sort of comeback to jot down dwelling about as he scored 10 factors on 3-of-12 capturing from the sphere, however his group emerged victorious regardless of issues getting tight in the direction of the top with the way in which the Nets did. their comeback from a 13-point deficit.
Here is what Bridges needed to say about his matchup in opposition to his “Twin” Cam Johnson:
“I am simply attempting to make it troublesome for him, simply placing stress on him. Perhaps attempt to throw two from time to time, however that is good. Simply good group protection, simply getting assist one another.”
This text was initially revealed on Nets Wire: 3 takeaways from the Nets within the 99-95 loss to the Knicks
