Brooklyn Nets: If You Wanna Be The Best, Gotta Beat The Best

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Bucks    123

Nets      125

FINAL

BROOKLYN'S THIRD-QUARTER EFFORT PROVES JUST ENOUGH TO GET THEM THROUGH TO FINISH

As two of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference, the Nets and Bucks are two of the top three scoring teams in the league.  Defensively, Milwaukee is hovering around tenth best on average allowing 109.5 points per game; Brooklyn on average allows 113.1 points per game ranking them amongst the bottom ten.  

Between former Net Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokonmpo, and in the absence of Jarrett Allen, the Nets faced an interior redesign unlike before the trade acquisition for James Harden.  We're all aware of how unassumingly dangerous Brook Lopez is, and Giannis is going to get his.  Monday night was merely another example.  Antetokonmpo tied for game-high with 34 points as well as a game-high twelve rebounds.  

And here's the rub ...

James Harden matched Giannis with a team-high 34 points.  But that's Harden's job.  Whereas DeAndre Jordan matched Giannis with twelve rebounds, and that's the new role he's being thrust into.

He must step up and be the Nets big man in the block.  Entering Monday's action, DeAndre Jordan played a season-high 30 minutes back in December against the Grizzlies.  Against Milwaukee, Coach Nash called upon him for a new season-high 38 minutes.  Jordan answered with a season-high twelve points and matched his season-high with twelve rebounds, and, important to me, he led the floor with four offensive rebounds.  He was 6/6 from the field, but that's because he focused on the highest percentage shot in basketball: Dunks!  However, considering his minutes, he committed a season-high five turnovers.  Now, if Jordan can perform like this on a more consistent basis, the better the Nets will be.

There came a time (9:54) in the third quarter when Giannis recovered a rebound and threw a spiral downfield to Khris Middleton for the completion.  But instead of permitting Middleton an easy layup or dunk, James Harden interceded with a foul(!) - as if to say dead-end; go make your points at the line.  

That's what I'm talking about..!  Both Harden and Jordann finished with three fouls each, while Kevin Durant chugged right along with five personal fouls.  I'm just asking they foul with meaning, that's all.

Cycling back, it was then Flatbush began pulling away towards a 72-64 lead.  Shortly after, Jordan recovered a rebound and slammed it back home for a 76-70 Nets lead.

Otherwise, I expect Kevin Durant to finish with 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.  I expect James Harden to match Giannis in points and have a game-high 12 assists (btw, I'm very happy and grateful for that).  And, if and when Kyrie Irving returns to action, I expect the same.

DeAndre Jordan, however, is another matter.  This game against the Bucks could have been just one moment in time or an agreeable glimpse into Brooklyn's near future at the five.

In the meantime, Joe Harris continues basking in the glow of surrounding stars.  He scores at least 20 points for only the third time this season.  However, playing alongside Harden, Joe has easily posted the two of the finest back-to-back games of this young season.  He scored 17 points against Orlando on Saturday, then scored 20 points including 5/7 from beyond the arc on MLK Day.  Harris scored 28 points against Philly but only followed up with 13 points against Memphis.