NEW YORK — The Brooklyn fillets (10-14) got here into play in Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Milwaukee Bucks (12-11) trying to cease the momentum Milwaukee had constructed over the previous two weeks. Brooklyn even had some excellent news with Dorian Finney-Smith and Noah Clowney not taking part in, however that did not sit properly in opposition to a veteran workforce just like the Bucks.
THE Nets misplaced to the Bucks 118-113 regardless of Dennis Schroder’s 34 factors and 11 assists, his first such recreation in his NBA profession. Cam Johnson had 26 factors and three rebounds whereas Nic Claxton had 21 factors, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, three steals and two blocks in what was by far his finest recreation of the season.
The primary motive the Nets failed to come back out on prime was as a result of Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 factors and 11 rebounds like solely he can, whereas getting assist from gamers like Bobby Portis ( 23 factors) and Gary Trent Jr. (20 factors). That being mentioned, listed below are the Nets’ participant rankings after Sunday’s slim loss to the Bucks:
Dennis Schröder: A+
Schroder had among the finest video games of the season after a primary half through which he had 19 factors and 4 assists. Schroder has had his ups and downs throughout this marketing campaign, however when he’s lively, the Nets are a greater workforce on each ends of the courtroom due to the best way Schroder is ready to provoke the troops. Schroder had all the pieces in his recreation working.
Keon Johnson: D
Johnson began this recreation, probably in an effort to make sure Schroder may save his power by not having to protect Damian Lillard on each possession, however Johnson has seen higher days. Granted, Johnson did a great job guarding Lillard and Gary Trent Jr., however his offensive affect was just about nonexistent.
Cam Johnson: B+
After a primary half through which Johnson did not make a lot of an affect on the offense as a result of nature of how the Bucks protected him off the ball, he discovered his rhythm within the second half as consideration turned extra to Schroder and Nic Claxton. Johnson made his recreation work all around the courtroom as he was capable of get to the rim as a lot as shoot the ball from behind the three-point line. Johnson additionally made some spectacular performs on the defensive finish, together with blocking Giannis Antetokounmpo on the rim and scoring three factors on the opposite finish.
Dorian Finney-Smith: C+
Finney-Smith returned to the lineup after lacking the final 4 video games with a sprained left ankle and had arguably the hardest check he may have confronted returning to. As was the case within the first matchup, Finney-Smith’s major mission was to protect Antetokounmpo. Whereas Finney-Smith did a great job defending him, Antetokounmpo is a perennial MVP candidate for a motive and he confirmed it on this contest.
Nick Claxton: A+
Claxton had his finest recreation of the season in opposition to among the finest defenders within the NBA, Brook Lopez, and it was unimaginable to see. Claxton used a wide range of strikes to attain in opposition to Lopez and he additionally showcased some spectacular footwork that he is been engaged on since becoming a member of the Nets. Not solely was Claxton spectacular on the offensive finish of the courtroom, however he confirmed the type of affect he can have on the defensive finish when locked down.
Trendon Watford: D
Watford did not play as many minutes as in current video games, however that was most likely as a result of the workforce was more healthy, which is an effective factor in the long term. Watford did not have the ball a lot within the recreation, even once they had somebody smaller guarding him, like Damian Lillard for instance, and he wasn’t capable of do a lot off the dribble in opposition to a extra disciplined Bucks workforce. defend switch actions.
Jalen Wilson: D
Wilson had one other robust recreation taking pictures the ball, particularly from three-point vary, as he could not discover his rhythm and he hasn’t been capable of finding his taking pictures contact to this point in December. Wilson did a great job passing the ball and organising his teammates to look brazenly, however apart from that, he struggled to defend with out fouling, principally attributable to guarding greater gamers like Giannis Antetokounmpo , however he nonetheless left one thing to be desired on this topic. finish of the ground.
Day’Ron Sharpe: D
Sharpe had one in all his lowest scoring video games since returning to the lineup three video games in the past and whereas taking part in in opposition to the Bucks is not the best recreation, he may have had extra of an affect from two sides of the sphere. Sharpe had some good moments on the defensive aspect of the ball due to his lively fingers, however that is the place his affect on the sport ends.
Ben Simmons: D
Simmons did not do a lot on this one, other than a spectacular move to Cam Johnson ready within the nook, as his affect was muted with the offense targeted on Dennis Schroder and Johnson. Simmons did not try a shot and though he had a couple of rebounds, Simmons wasn’t ready to make use of his passes to have an effect on the sport like he did so many occasions throughout his profession.
Shake Milton 😀
Milton did a great job spreading the ball round along with his three-point taking pictures, however like a lot of his teammates, that is the place the affect he had on this recreation ends. Milton had primarily been a spectator on the offensive finish, with Schroder and Johnson doing what they wished, however Milton had a couple of moments on protection through which he was both too far behind whereas following a shooter or only a bit behind. delay on most defensive actions.
This text was initially printed on Nets Wire: Nets participant rankings: Dennis Schroder has 34 factors in loss to Bucks
