Brooklyn Nets: Spencer Dinwiddie Enjoys Manhattan Borough Experience

From the desks of:

DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP  and  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BATTLE OF THE BOROUGHS

Nets lead series 2-1

I - BKN 107; NYK 105

II - NYK 115; BKN 96

III - BKN 112; NYK 104

Brooklyn Nets: Escape From New York

Brooklyn Hoops took an eleven point lead into halftime, and led by as many as 17-points after three quarters.  However, the building blocks of victory stood poised to come tumbling down during yet another self-destructive fourth quarter.  The Knicks, who outscored the Nets 27-18 in the final session, pulled within five points of the Nets with under six minutes left in regulation.  But that's as close as they'd get.  Spencer Dinwiddie's six points in the final three minutes would seal the Knickerbockers fate.

Spencer Dinwiddie led all scorers with 25-points off the bench.  D'Angelo Russell, just 4/14 from the field, distributed a game high eleven assists.  And Jarrett Allen posts a double-double, leading the Nets with twelve rebounds to go with 14-points.  Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also hit the twenty point mark on 50% shooting.

Enes Kanter wins the battle of big men with his own double-double, leading the floor with 14 rebounds, and a Knicks high 23-points.  

For only the second time this season, the Nets have pieced together consecutive victories.  The first time occurred in early November, with Caris LeVert still on the floor.  While the Nets were just 6-8 at the time, their season since Nov. 12 has taken a precipitous turn for the worse, evidenced by their 4-10 record without him. 

The Nets finally snap an eight game losing streak against the team with the NBA's top record.  Flatbush defeats the Toronto Raptors in a 106-105 overtime thriller Friday night at Barclays Center.  On Saturday, they cross the East River into Manhattan, and defeat the Knickerbockers by eight at Madison Square Garden.

While the Knicks forever remain a freaking mystery to me, I have a far clearer understanding of the Nets present and future plans.  During their most recent slide, frustration and impatience not unexpectedly reared their ugly heads, inciting many a knee-jerk reaction.  Firing Kenny Atkinson and even Sean Marks very quickly became considerations for debate.

I say that's folly, and every one just needs to relax.  Stay the course, Nets.  It's us fans whom must exercise more discipline.  Sean Marks (IMO) is fine, the team is back in control of their draft picks, and Kenny Atkinson at the very least is the right coach for this stage of Nets rebuilding process.  

If the Nets biggest problem is an inability to sustain and win through the fourth quarter, then I say it's a great problem to have.  That's an issue correctable through various means and venues.  But make no mistake, it's one of the hallmarks of a young rebuilding team.  Learning how to close out games is part of the process.  At least they're building an identity.  Think of it what you will.  But take a second and circle back to the Knicks.  Who are they, and what are they doing?