Biggest Victory of the Regular Season!
SATURDAY
Nets 133
Bucks 128
FINAL
How big was Saturday's victory at Milwaukee?
Let us count the ways ...
Already facing the league's toughest rated schedule down the stretch, nine of Brooklyn's last thirteen games have been on the road, and almost exclusively against playoff contenders. That's medieval torture in and of itself, much less having to negotiate another quick turnaround for Sunday afternoon's penultimate game at Indianapolis.
Milwaukee had won all three of their previous meetings against the Nets this season. Meanwhile, Brooklyn entered Saturday a game under par (.500) upon losing four of their last five games. Self determination of their playoff destiny was fast slipping from their grasp. Now for a second time within the span of just four days they were tasked with playing the Eastern Conference top seeded Bucks whom already had clinched of the NBA's best overall regular season record.
However, on this day Brooklyn catches a break of sorts. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a DNP for the game, reportedly resting a sore calf. Milwaukee's depth nonetheless takes Brooklyn to task. Despite the Nets maintaining a lead for most portions of the night, the more polished Bucks not surprisingly have the Nets reeling late. Six Milwaukee players finish with double-digit points, led by Eric Bledsoe's game high 33-points, complimented by Khris Middleton's 24-points.
Enter Kenny Atkinson, the mastermind whom I think negotiates the Nets through this critical juncture in their season. After all, this is a young team still learning how play meaningful games in April. That said, a few key time outs, some targeted kicks in the proverbial posterior, along with Atkinson's insistence on attacking Milwaukee's size by going small in the closing minutes wins the day. Led by their back court, eight Nets score in double-digits. D'Angelo Russell posts team highs with 25-points and ten assists, with Caris LeVert adding another 24-points and six assists. Veteran Jared Dudley added another 16-points and six very key rebounds off the bench, but contributed so much more through his veteran leadership on the floor and smart composed play in the closing minutes and seconds. D'Angelo Russell's driving layup with less than a minute left ultimately put the game out of reach.
The Nets are now 40-40 for the season. It's their first 40 win season since winning 44 games during the 2013-2014 season. They've certainly come a long way since winning 21 and 20 games respectively from 2015 through 2017, and posting just 28 wins last season.
The Nets are presently tied for sixth with the Orlando Magic, with a half-game lead over number eight Detroit, and a 1.5 game lead over the (outside looking in) Miami Heat. Brooklyn has two games left on their docket, perhaps needing to win either Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis, or against Miami at Barclays Center on Wednesday in order to help ensure a playoff berth.
Playing important games in April is downright fun. This emerging Brooklyn team makes it more so. For a night at least, Saturday's triumph is easily the greatest Nets win in the last four years or so.
But don't take your eyes off the scoreboard just yet.
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