Brooklyn Nets: Final Rehearsal Before the Big Dance

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

REGULAR SEASON FINALE

May 16, 2021

SUNDAY

Cleveland Cavaliers

vs.

Brooklyn Nets

FROM

Flatbush Avenue

A nice team effort against the Chicago Bulls.  Despite the big three returning to the floor, the Nets are now without Joe Harris.  As such, Steve Nash provided steady employment for five players off the bench, then in the last few minutes tasked Alize Johnson, Reggie Perry, and Timothe Luwawau-Cabarrot with closing out the game.

The bench accounted for 48 points or 45.7% of Brooklyn's scoring.  Durant, Harden, and Kyrie account for 37.1% of the scoring.  Blake Griffin's only two points (in 20 minutes) came from the line.  Otherwise, he was 0/6 from the floor.  However, Bruce Brown was +8, with 16 points off the team's third-most attempts, and secured a team-high 12 rebounds.

THE BIG THREE  REUNITED

First off, they are now 6-2 when playing together.  When the triumvirate is on the floor, the Nets average about 124 points per game.  But when two of the three are missing, the Nets average, what did YES-TV say ... 107 points per game?  Don't quote me; that's somewhere in the ballpark, but we all understand the gist.

Saturday vs. Chicago:

• The returning James Harden only posts 5 points, 5 rebounds but distributed a game-high seven assists, with a +5, in 25 minutes.  He was only 2/4 from the field and 0/2 from the line, but make no mistake, the facilitator is back.  If nothing else, it's worth reiterating he led the floor in assists.  He's clearly and carefully being worked back into the fold.

• Kevin Durant's line reads 12 points, 9 rebounds, six assists, +10, in 30 minutes.  He put up the most attempts but finished shooting just 4/17 from the field, including 1/6 from behind the arc and 3/4 from the line.

• Kyrie Irving, like Durant, played a team-high 30 minutes.  He put up the second-most attempts, shooting 9/16 from the field, including 3/7 from behind the arc and 1/1 from the line for a team-high 22 points.  In fact, he was the only Net to exceed 20 points.  However, he registered not a single assist, and at some point, I fret that may become a detriment to the team.  In the absence of Harden or KD, or even both, how many times have we watched Kyrie pile up points, and the Nets still lose?

They have one more regular-season tune-up before the playoffs.  Or should I say this upcoming game will serve as their most important practice session of the entire season?

 

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Runs Pelicans Out of the Building

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

WEDNESDAY

Pelicans 111

Nets     139

FINAL

Kevin Durant Plays in Support of Starting Lineup During Return to Action

The intersection at Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues is a dangerous place for Pelicans, but that didn't stop the Nets from running them out of Barclays Center by 28 points.  

Brooklyn obliterated New Orleans from behind the arc, shooting 19/46 (46.3%) versus just 6/27 for the Pelicans.  The Nets were plus-five in rebounding and razzle-dazzled to a plus-14 in assists.  Brooklyn also outscored the Pelicans by six in the paint and rushed off to a 22-12 edge in fastbreak points. 

James Harden is out, but Kevin Durant is back.  Easing him back into the flow, Coach Nash limited Durant to 19 minutes off the bench.  Otherwise, in his first game back since Feb. 13 against Golden State, KD was a perfect 5/5 from the field, including 2/2 from behind the arc and 5/5 from the line for 19 points, along with seven rebounds and five assists.  Blake Griffin also returned to the floor with ten points in 13 minutes off the bench.

Kyrie Irving again led the Nets with 24 points in 30 minutes.  However, veteran LaMarcus Aldridge was the big man on campus with 22 points in 23 minutes.  Joe Harris is next in with 14 points in 22 minutes.

Coach Nash emptied the bench with the exception of DeAndre Jordan, who once again was the lone Net to not touch the floor.  Chris Chiozza scored twelve points with a game-high eight assists in 18 minutes, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot once again saw big minutes.

With Wednesday's victory, the Nets take over sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference by one-half game over the idle Philadelphia Sixers.

The Nets are off until Saturday when they host the LeBronless defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

East River Showdown: Flatbush Sweeps Season Series From Manhattan

From the desks: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH & KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

EAST RIVER SHOWDOWN 

Nets defeat Knicks; 3-0

I - BKN 116; NYK 109

II - BKN 117; NYK 112

III - BKN 114; NYK 112

No Kevin Durant, No Blake Griffin, No DeAndre Jordan, Essentially No James Harden, and No Room For Error.

Monday's Nets victory was a costly one.  Already playing on a barking hamstring, James Harden was out of the game after just four minutes on the floor.  

Yet, he somehow tied for second on the team with three assists ...

That's because Kyrie Irving took charge in a manner unlike Sunday's game against the Bulls when he finished with 15 assists and 24 points.  Irving led the team with seven assists but topped all players with 40 points in 37 minutes.  It's the fourth time this season he has scored forty or more, and it was slightly more than double Julius Randle's output, who finished with 19 points in a game-high 39 minutes.  Randle achieves the triple-double with a game-high 15 rebounds and 12 assists, albeit in a losing effort.

RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 22 points in 33 minutes, Reggie Bullock added 21 points in 31 minutes, and Derrick Rose scored 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.

Nerlens Noel going up against LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Claxton was essentially a wash.  Noel scored six points with five rebounds, while Aldridge and Claxton joined together for eight points and twelve rebounds.  DeAndre Jordan has not played a minute since the acquisition of Aldridge.

Jeff Green's tenacity resulted in him leading the Nets with 13 attempts from the line and 4/8 inside the arc en route to 23 points in 36 minutes.  Joe Harris put up the third-most attempts behind Irving and Green while scoring 16 points in 34 minutes.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot played his most minutes since Mar. 24 at Utah.

Both teams scored equally fourteen points on fast breaks.  But whereas the Knicks outscored the Nets by 12 points from behind the arc, the Nets dominated the paint by a 58-40 margin.  Brooklyn was also plus-four in rebounds and plus-three in assists.

The Knicks led the Nets by ten at the half (and at one point led by 14 points) but failed to hold on.  Brooklyn outscored the Knicks by eleven points in the third.  Alec Burks tied the game at 112-112 with 26.1 seconds left in the fourth.  But Jeff Green converted two free throws with 3.7 seconds left to clinch it for Brooklyn.

Flatbush sweeps the season series three games to none.  The Knicks fall back one game under par.

Since losing at Detroit on Feb. 9, the Nets have posted a 21-4 record over their last 25 games.  Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden have only played seven games together with only 21 games left in the regular season.  This team needs to get healthy and just over a month to get it done.

Dallas Mavericks Exploit Undermanned Brooklyn Nets

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Win Streak Snapped at Eight Games

Miss Opportunity to Overcome Sixers

SATURDAY

Mavericks   115

Nets              98

FINAL

Flatbush Support Staff Fails to Extend Win Streak

Sean Marks said this team isn't fully formed yet.  That means something is potentially brewing before the trade deadline.  Well, he had better do something about the interior.  Because once again, Brooklyn's deficiencies in the paint were on full display.  Coach Nash decided to limit DeAndre Jordan to just 13 minutes off the bench.  The toll on the Nets was high; Dallas outscored the Nets 50-36 in the paint, and with 19 turnovers committed by Flatbush, the Mavs also outpaced Brooklyn on the face-break by a 15-4 margin.  Brooklyn and Dallas had the same number of attempts from the field and converted the same number of three-pointers.  The Nets were even a plus-three from the free-throw line.  

At one point, the Mavs led by 14 points, but the Nets closed the gap and went into the half trailing by four.  James Harden led all players with 15 first-haf attempts from the field and six attempts from the line converting for 25 points.  In 15 minutes, Joe Harris is just 2/4 from the floor for six points.  He started the game with no shots taken in his first nine minutes on the floor, then struck for consecutive three-pointers.  After Harden, each of the other four Nets starters (Brown, Harris, Green, Cabarrot) contributed six first-half points apiece.  Landry Shamet was second on the Nets with nine points in 15 minutes off the bench.  DeAndre Jordan only saw nine minutes, with no shot attempts, two rebounds, and two assists.

A reason Flatbush generated just 98 points is mainly that Joe Harris failed to take a single shot in the first quarter and only managed 3/8 from behind the arc for nine points in 27 minutes.  Frankly, this is unacceptable and what I've been saying all along.  When Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, or James Harden, or any combination of the three is missing from the floor, it's incumbent upon Joe Harris to do more.  This was that kind of night.  To his credit, Joe has been holding his ground much better this season.  However, this night, he was tied for fourth on the team with eight shots when this was the very type of game when the Nets much needed more.

Another reason Flatbush failed to break one hundred points was Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot shooting a mere 2/12 from the field in 24 minutes.  Nic Claxton was also strangely stuck to the bench, going 1/3 in just 13 minutes.  The Nets got 30 points on 11/29 (28%) from a seven-man bench.  Landry Shamet played a bench-high 27 minutes but only accounted for nine points.  In fact, no one scored double-digits off the bench.

James Harden was 9/21 from the floor and 7/8 from the line for a game-high 29 points and six assists.  However, one sequence essentially describes the night.  With 3:50 left in the game, James Harden dishes to Joe Harris, who does not connect.  Dallas scores on the following possession.  Harden then brings the ball upcourt and drives the lane but is stopped cold by three defenders who cause a turnover. 

Despite the Philadelphia Sixers losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Nets gain no ground.  They remain one-half game out of the Eastern Conference lead. 

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Wins NBA Leading Eighth In A Row

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

THURSDAY

Kings    92

Nets    129

FINAL

For only the fourth time this season, but not coincidentally for the third time since their game against the Detroit Pistons, Flatbush limited their opponent under one hundred points en route to a commanding 37 point margin of victory against the Orlando Magic.

With Kevin Durant missing his sixth straight game while still hampered by a strained hamstring, Kyrie Irving leads the Nets with 27 points and a game-high nine assists in 30 minutes.  However, he continues to struggle from long-range shooting 11/18 from the floor but only 1/6 from three.  James Harden was 5/10 from behind the arc en route to a 20 point night with nine rebounds and seven assists.  

Despite 14 points each from Joe Harris and Bruce Brown, I'm going to give DeAndre the third man recognition award this game for his eight points and a game-high eleven rebounds.  Flatbush finished +16 in rebounding and exhibited better distribution with a 30-19 advantage in assists.  Moreover, Brooklyn was on the run, outscoring Sacramento 25-6 in fastbreak points, and were a +5 in the paint.

The hot and cold season of Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot continues.  He was just 1/7 from the field, which really means he was just 1/6 from long range.  Landry Shamet led the bench effort with 19 points in 29 minutes.  Nicolas Claxton gave the Nets six players scoring in double-digits with ten points in just 15 minutes.

Jeff Green remains out of action. 

Brooklyn extends their NBA leading winning streak to eight, with the Dallas Mavericks coming to town on Saturday.  Philadelphia defeated the Mavs on Thursday to keep Brooklyn one-half game out of the Eastern Conference lead.

Brooklyn Nets: California Dreamin'

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Ain't No Win Streak Like a West Coast Win Streak

SUNDAY

Nets     112

Clippers 108

FINAL

WELCOME HOME!

In the absence of Kevin Durant, Coach Nash utilized the same line-up for the third time in the last four games.  Jeff Green started in place of DeAndre Jordan and Bruce Brown again started in a three-man backcourt.

However, Green was forced to leave with just under three minutes left in the fourth quarter with an injury.  He finished with five points on just 2/6 from the floor in 34 minutes.  But productive reinforcement came courtesy of DeAndre Jordan who posted a double-double with 13 points, eleven rebounds, and four blocked shots in 32 minutes off the bench.  It's DeAndre's third double-double and only the fourth time this season he has exceeded 30 minutes.

Coach Nash played a three-man bench in the boxscore, but only a two-man bench in any meaningful application.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was without a shot attempt while being limited to just six minutes.  Meanwhile, Landry Shamet was a troublesome 1/7 from the field, all attempts from three-range, in 18 minutes.

• ICYMI: Joe Harris Passes Another Test

The starting five averaged 37 minutes with Kyrie Irving and James Harden playing 40 and 41 minutes respectively.  James Harden scored a game-high 38 points, his highest single-game output with the Nets and his second-highest mark this season, while also notching his 17th double-double through 18 games since his arrival in Flatbush.  Kyrie Irving was 12/26 from the floor but only 2/11 from behind the arc.  In fact, the Nets as a team were just 11/38 (28.9%) from three-range.  Kyrie finished with 28 points and a team-high eight assists.  He and Harden joined for 15 assists.  Joe Harris was likewise somewhat off from the field, shooting 3/8 from three and 4/11 overall en route to 13 points.  

Since receiving a reprimand from Coach Nash after a lethargic and futile effort against the Detroit Pistons and being told to look themselves in the mirror, the Nets are now winners of six in a row.  They complete their five-game western trip with a perfect 5-0 record.  In games against the Warriors, Kings, Suns, Lakers, and Clippers, the Nets averaged 123.8 points per game while allowing an average of 114.4 points per game for an impressive +9.4 differential.

The Nets triumphantly return to Flatbush for a three-game homestand against the Kings, Magic, and Mavs.

Brooklyn Nets: Joe Harris Passes Another Test

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

THURSDAY

Nets   109

Lakers  98

FINAL

Joe Harris Refusing To Go Away

There was no need to adjust your sets.  The Brooklyn Nets did indeed defeat the defending champions Thursday night in Los Angeles.  However, this was not a potential preview of this year's NBA finals - not with Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant out of action.  

But it was a big game nonetheless.

This game marks just the sixth time this season and the second time in the last five games Flatbush has held their opponent under one hundred points.  LeBron James played up to expectations with a game-high 32 points.  Kyle Kuzma, who took ten fewer shots than James, was next in with 16 points.  Otherwise, the rest of LeBron's mates weren't up to the task.  Montrezl Harrell was the Lakers' next highest contributor with just ten points off the bench.

The Nets had six fewer attempts from the field and were terrible from the line, shooting 15/24 (62.5%), but they made up for it shooting 18/39 (46.2%) from behind the arc.  Joe Harris led the charge in that regard, shooting 6/7 from three range.  Next in was Timothe-Luwawu Cabarrot shooting 5/8 from three.  Timothe enjoyed a much-needed confidence booster.  After averaging just six points and 1.2 assists in 21.4 minutes over his last five games, Timothe bounced back with 15 points and three assists in 27 minutes off the bench.

Anytime the Nets are down, Kevin Durant, or Kyrie Irving, or James Harden, or any combination of the three, I expect Joe Harris to step up his game and play a more primary role.  That's where we are in his Nets career.  I've been keeping the spotlight on Harris because, in previous seasons, teams that wanted him deleted from the equation simply hit enter, and poof, there went Joe Harris.  If you recall, two seasons ago, in the playoffs against Philadelphia, Joe Harris in game one scored 13 points in 30 minutes.  The Sixers then shut him down, limiting him over the final four games to an average of just 7.7 points in 29.7 minutes.  This season, for the most part, a more experienced Harris is better holding his ground.  He was second on the team with 21 points and third in shot attempts against the Lakers.  It's just the second time this season Joe Harris has scored twenty points or more in consecutive games.  In 14 games against the present-day top eight teams in each conference, Joe Harris is averaging 17.5 points in 30.5 minutes per game.  As far as East competitors, Harris has scored 42 points in two games versus Philadelphia, 20 points against Milwaukee, and 19 points against Toronto.   

Further emphasizing the demands I place on Harris, Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 17 attempts but connected on only seven shots for 16 points in 34 minutes.  It's a subtle reminder the Big Three will have off nights.  Meanwhile, James Harden continues his case for MVP with a team-high 23 points and a game-high eleven assists in a team-high 38 minutes.

Flatbush extends their winning streak to five games and improves to 4-0 on this western swing.  After playing four games in six days, the Nets are off till Sunday when they wrap up this already wildly successful road trip against the Clippers.  The last time they met, Brooklyn defeated the Clippers by four at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn Nets: Flat Tire In Motor City

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TUESDAY

Nets          111

Pistons     122

FINAL

Terrible is as terrible does ...

Playing without Kevin Durant is no excuse.  Not when you have James Harden and Kyrie Irving on the floor, and not when you're playing the Pistons (6-18) who not only scored forty first-half points in the paint but at one point led by twenty points and effectively closed out the game leading by 14-points with less than four minutes left in the game.  After yielding 38-points in the first quarter, the damage was done.  The rest is just garbage time ... literally.  They lost the first quarter by twelve points.  Joe Harris opened the scoring with a three-pointer, after which Brooklyn trailed for the final 46:03 minutes of the game en route to an eleven point loss.

These are the games when the Nets need Joe Harris to step it up.  Durant hasn't played since the NBA's COVID fiasco against the Raptors.  After getting erased by the Sixers at Philadelphia, Harris on Tuesday was just 2/6 from the floor, all attempts from behind the arc.  Five other Nets put up more shot attempts than Joe.  That shouldn't be.  Behind James Harden and Kyrie Irving (who was playing with a compromised finger), Joe Harris should have been a definitive third in shot attempts.  He was also no help on the boards with just one rebound in 34 minutes - the team's third-most minutes.  It's not like Harden and Irving weren't looking to pass.  Both joined for 19 assists, but Joe Harris, for the second game in a row playing without Durant, failed to be a viable option.

DeAndre Jordan scored nine points and secured a team-high nine rebounds in 23 minutes but committed five turnovers and was victimized by players coming from all directions attacking the paint.  Which is to say, no one covered their man with any degree of success.  I shot the below Tweet in frustration over one particular defensive series in the first quarter.  If you watched the game, you know which one I'm talking about; the same one James Harden took him to task over.  But I stand by it.  The Nets have zero depth at the center as it is.  That's why it's incumbent upon Jordan to give opponents something else to think about.  Joel Embiid had his way on Saturday with 33 points.  On Tuesday, former Net Mason Plumlee put up a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds with seven assists in 38 minutes.

sorry, man, if DeAndre Jordan isn't committing five fouls a night he's not earning his keep! c#Nets. .

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) February 10, 2021

Before Coach Nash emptying the bench, the collective contributed just 25 points, led by Landry Shamet's ten points in 18 minutes.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot continues to sputter.  Back on the bench after starting and playing 33 minutes at Philadelphia, TLC was just 1/3 from the floor in 20 minutes. 

Quick turnaround ... they travel home and host the Pacers Wednesday night.

Brooklyn Nets: Suffer Flat Tire During Road Trip Through Cleveland

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

No Defense 

Against Second Lowest Scoring Team in League

NETS   250

CAVS   272

Two of the more disturbing losses of the season ...

Two games against the second-worst offensive team in the league and the Nets, the third highest-scoring team in the league, lose both getting outscored by a gross 250-272 margin.  Playing without Kevin Durant, the Nets were badly outrebounded 29-50 on Friday, while Cleveland nearly doubled them up at the free-throw line.  James Harden, starting at power forward for the first time in his career, scored 19 points with a game-high eleven assists in 37 minutes.  Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 38 points with only five assists in 31 minutes.  Coach Nash extended the bench to six, with Jeff Green and Timothe-Luwawu Cabarrot playing 26 minutes respectively.  Back in the starting lineup, Joe Harris was limited by Cleveland (and Kyrie's lack of distribution) to just eight points on 3/9 from the floor.

Brooklyn Nets: Triumvirate Debut is a Mixed Bag of Goods

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Team Says Need More Time In The Lab

WEDNESDAY

Nets  135

Cavs  147

Double-Overtime

(I STILL MISS JARRETT ALLEN . . . and Kyrie Irving is back)

Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden played together for the first time as members of the Brooklyn Nets.  However, during the second overtime of Wednesday night's game at Cleveland, Collin Sexton outplayed them all.

I'm not getting caught up in a double-overtime loss.  Once it gets there, stuff happens.  However, through the game's course, it became clear the Flatbush Three obviously need more practice time together.  The starting lineup as a whole displayed a measurable lack of cohesion.  But also give the Cavs their due.  They are among the top two stingiest teams in the league and recently added Jarrett Allen to their ranks.  

Regarding who gets the ball and when the Nets offered another small glimpse into the near future.  After a poor third quarter, the Nets recovered from a double-digit deficit.  The ball was put in Kyrie Irving's hands with the score tied 113-113 and time running out in regulation.  In the first overtime, Harden handled the ball somewhat more and facilitated a key slam by Jeff Green.  With the score tied and time expiring in the first overtime, the final shot was put into Kevin Durant's hands.

On this night Harden clearly deferred to Irving.  Look no further than the first half.  Harden scored no points from the field.  Meanwhile, Kyrie attempted a team-high 28 shots from the field, while Harden attempted only fourteen shots.  Otherwise, Kyrie scored 37 points with only three assists in 48 minutes.  Whereas Harden scored 21 points with a game-high twelve assists and ten rebounds during a game-high 51 minutes.  Kevin Durant finished with a team-high 38 points with a game-high twelve rebounds and eight assists in 50 minutes.

Getting the start, old man Jeff Green had an active night with sixteen points and seven boards in 44 minutes.  The Nets "center of attention" DeAndre Jordan is working well with Harden, who provides him an on-court reeducation in working pick and rolls.  Jordan scored (6/7) thirteen points with four boards in 24 minutes.

Landry Shamet was a curious DNP, and Bruce Brown only saw seven minutes.  Just wondering what Coach Nash is thinking.  Meanwhile, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was 0/6 including 0/3 from the arc in twelve minutes.  

Joe Harris picked a bad night for feeling numb to the touch.  He was just 2/7 from the arc and missed three other shots from mid-range in 42 minutes off the bench.

The loss puts the Nets one game under .500 on the road.  The play the Cavaliers once again this Friday at Cleveland.

Brooklyn Nets: Lack of Physical Graffiti in Flatbush

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Hawks  114

Nets        96

FINAL

Grizzlies and Hawks Paint Nets Interior

This was not the happiest way to ring in the New Year as the Duds of Flatbush trailed by nine at the half and lost by eighteen points to the Atlanta Hawks, who on Friday gained a series split with the Nets at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn's defense clearly took the holidays off, allowing the Hawks 255 points over the course of two games.  Last week's loss against the Memphis Grizzlies initially brought into question the Nets' lack of physicality and interior defense.  On Friday, the Hawks, as if by invitation, ball-handled through the lane for easy bucket after easy bucket.  

With three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Coach Nash emptied the entire bench.  Of the five players to play the last three minutes of the game, only Chris Chiozza walked off with a personal foul.  My point is the Nets committed only fifteen other fouls all game.  Obviously, no one wants Durant and Kyrie Irving playing in foul trouble.  But only Joe Harris earned as many as four fouls - one-quarter of all Nets whistles.  Said another way, they had better start bumping bodies and better protect the paint.  Because this just isn't about the Hawks; this has everything to do with the way the Nets were manhandled two playoffs ago by Philadelphia.  I'm not asking them to clothesline Kurt Rambis.  But sometimes, a team effort involves starters and the bench having three, four, or even five players with upwards of four personals.  If you're crafty about it, it's well worth the effort.  When you deploy fifteen bodies and seven of them walk off the court with no personal fouls in a game wherein the Nets couldn't prevent a mailbox from driving the lane, well ... you know what mean,

... or not.

Flatbush from long-range shot a mere 7/37 (18.9%) and was outscored 48-21 from the arc.  That more than accounts for Brooklyn's eighteen point margin of defeat.  The bench was largely ineffective as well.

However, shooting touch comes and goes, whereas defensive intensity must come every night.  Things really fell apart in the third quarter against Atlanta's subs.  Moreover, this is only Brooklyn's third loss of the season, but they've already revealed so much.

Lastly, if you're going to let DeAndre Jordan start over Jarrett Allen, who is getting more minutes and finishing games, then encourage Jordan to throw around his body more.

The "Centers of Attention" were effectively outplayed by Atlanta's Clint Capela, who finished 6/10 from the floor for twelve points and tied for a game-high eleven rebounds in thirty minutes.  Kyrie Irving led the Nets with eleven rebounds.  Allan and Jordan joined for thirteen points and nine rebounds (with four total fouls) in a combined forty minutes.  Atlanta outrebounded the Nets by a margin of three and did a better job of distribution and creating turnovers.

Aside from Coach Nash switching everyone out during the last minutes, five other bench regulars only scored 25 points in 88 total minutes.

But when it rains, it pours.  Getting starts, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot shot just 1/7 and 0/5 from the arc.  Meanwhile, Caris LeVert was 4/10 from the field and 0/3 from afar with three assists in 27 minutes off the bench.

• NEXT: Wizards at Barclays on Sunday

Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant Continues to Have Something to Say

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Hawks   141

Nets      145

FINAL

Flatbush Snaps Two-Game Skid With Fourth Quarter Surge

Kevin Durant & Jarrett Allan Register Double-Double

I have a saying: Once is an event; twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend.

After the season opener against Golden State, I wrote the following:

"As a new leader of the Nets, the television camera in the first quarter caught Kevin Durant (admonishing?) encouraging Joe Harris to take a shot from the left corner, who instead elected to pass off.  That may not seem like much and will likely go unspoken.  However, I think playing alongside KD will be hugely beneficial towards Joe's continued career advancement..."

On Wednesday evening against the Atlanta Hawks, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, after sitting out Monday's game, return to action.  This time Coach Nash staggers their minutes, unlike during their previous three starts together.  

That set up a curious moment early in the fourth quarter when Kyrie Irving engages in a dispute with the refs, which for a split second gives the impression matters might escalate.  But they didn't; Irving quickly subdues himself, but not before Kevin Durant is again seen admonishing Kyrie from the sidelines, perhaps about maintaining his composure.  

On the one hand, what was said is between friends, and I guess we'll never know because this will, like with Joe Harris, remain unspoken about.  On the other hand, this marks instance number two within the team's first five games in which Durant was caught by home viewers playing team (captain) police. Regardless of what was said, stern best describes the expression on Durant's face. 

🏀

Brooklyn trailed the Hawks through the first three quarters until finally overcoming the Hawks with a 43-37 effort in the fourth.  The Nets are out-rebounded but are an effective 19/41 (46.3%) from the arc.  Kevin Durant is the big man on campus with a game-high 33 points, eleven boards, and a team-high eight assists in a season-high (four starts) 35 minutes.  Irving recovers from a sloppy start and finishes with a strong fourth quarter in leading the Nets down the stretch to a four-point margin of victory.  He finishes with 25 points and six assists.  Meanwhile, Joe Harris registers his best game to date, shooting 8/11 from the field and 6/8 from the arc en route to an early season-high 23 points.

But it's the bench that truly propels the Nets to victory.  Taurean Prince shakes off a bad start to his season with a perfect 5/5 from the floor and 2/2 from the arc for twelve points.  Caris Levert tied for a team-high eight assists with ten points, and Landry Shamet does what Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot does not.  Shamet, like Prince, goes a perfect 5/5 from the field, 2/2 from the arc, and 2/2 from the line for 14 points with team-high plus-eleven in 17 minutes.  Getting the start, Luwawu-Cabbarot scores three points with three assists in 26 minutes.

The politics of playing minutes at center continue.  Jarrett Allan off the bench is a plus-eight with fifteen points and a game-high 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.  DeAndre Jordan contributes five points, one rebound, and one block in 15 minutes as the starter.

• NEXT: Atlanta Hawks back at Barclays on Friday

Brooklyn Nets: Adversity Makes Early Visit to Flatbush

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

Grizzlies  116

Nets        111

FINAL/OT

Hello, adversity, it's been a while ...

Flatbush is faced with its first dilemma of the 2020-2021 season.  Sunday's two-point loss at Charlotte somewhat exposed their general lack of physicality on the interior.  Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both registered 36 minutes each, and there are calls to begin staggering their minutes.  I say you plan accordingly while keeping the competition in mind, although I agree their deployment needs some reconsideration.   

The loss is secondary to the disheartening news regarding Spencer Dinwiddie, who in Sunday's game suffered a partially torn ACL of the right knee and will undergo surgery.

With Dinwiddie out, Irving and KD likewise did not play against the Grizzlies on Monday night at Barclays.  It was the second game of back-to-back nights and their third game in four days.

Memphis, who last season clinched a play-in berth, jumped out to a 32-23 lead against the short-handed and unsettled Nets in the first quarter.  But the Brooks regrouped and turned the tables with a 32-22 second-quarter effort for a one-point advantage at the half.  Caris Levert negated Dillon Brooks' three-pointer with the last possession floater for the lead.  

With 1:44 left in the fourth quarter, LeVert's shot from three gives Brooklyn a 106-104 lead.  But LeVert, in the closing seconds, would miss his final two attempts.

Into over time, they go ...

Memphis doubled-up on Flatbush in the extra session for the win, 10 to 5.

In the final minutes of the fourth, Coach Nash kept DeAndre Jordan on the floor; he blocked a shot and committed a turnover.  He had four blocks and four turnovers for the game, scoring four points and securing nine rebounds in 30 minutes.  Jarrett Allan, after playing a season-high 25 minutes against Charlotte, was back down to 22 minutes.  He still managed a game-high fifteen rebounds and eight points.

Caris LeVert tied for a game-high 28 points in 38 minutes.  He was 12/29 from the floor but just 2/9 from the arc.  Getting the start, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot was second on the team with 21 points in 40 minutes.  Joe Harris played a game-high 42 minutes, with fourteen points and 2/4 from the arc.

Chris Chiozza (welcome back) led the bench effort with four assists and fourteen points but posted a minus-9 in 27 minutes.  Landry Shamet, who will also be seeing more minutes, had three steals and five points in 24 minutes.  

There's no hiding a bad start by Taurean Prince.  He scored nine with five rebounds in 19 minutes.  After starting the first three games 1/11 from the field, he was 2/8 against Memphis, making him 3/19 (15.7%) through four games.

• Next: home-and-home vs. Atlanta Hawks.

Brooklyn Nets: Pre-Season Test Run Goes Smoothly

From the desk: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

THE LAB

PRE-SEASON

• NETS 119; Wizards 114
• Nets 113; CELTICS 89

I can't remember the first or last time I had such fun watching pre-season games!

It's been eighteen months, well over 500 days, since Sean Marks signed Kevin Durant.  Nets fans waited excitedly but patiently throughout until Dec. 13, when KD and Kyrie Irving finally played together as members of the Brooklyn Nets.  Their respective first-half effort against Washington was an eye-popping glimpse into what could possibly be a fascinating season in Flatbush.  In turning away the Wizards during last Sunday's opener at Barclays Center, the team's oft-debated team synergy was a complete non-issue.  The two joined for 33 points en route to a 68-50 first-half lead.  Said another way, they accounted for 48.5% of the Nets first-half scoring.  I don't like math, but I'm completely copacetic with that measure of contribution as water ultimately seeks its own level.

On Friday, the Brooks rolled to their second victory this time over (last year's playoff-contending) Celtics by a commanding 24-point margin.  Naturally, both Durant's and Irving's minutes increased.  So far, through two games and 51 total minutes for Durant and 45-minutes for Irving, they've been nothing short of impressive.  Durant, in particular, appears completely recovered from surgery and rehabilitation.  He's shown no signs of hesitancy.  In fact, his first step appears explosive as ever.  Durant scored a floor high 25 points in 27 minutes, with six defensive boards.  Drawing attention and fouls, he was 5 of 6 from the line and put up a team-high sixteen attempts.  Irving put up the second-most attempts, shooting 7 of 15 from the field for 17 points with no trips to the line.  He otherwise tied for a game-high five assists and was second on the team in rebounding with seven.  Together Durant and Irving accounted for 37.1% of Brooklyn's total points.  As I said, water will find its own level.  These numbers are due to change once the regular season commences this coming Tuesday.

Unable to participate against the Wizards (knee), Caris LeVert joined in with 18 points in 21 minutes off the bench.  He was 6 of 13 from the floor, including 2 of 3 from the arc and a perfect 4 of 4 from the line.  With LeVert back in the fold, both Tyler Johnson's and Timothe Luwawu-Cabbarot's minutes dropped by half.

After missing a pair of three-point attempts against Washington, happy-to-be-back Joe Harris connected on 4 of 7 from the arc against Boston.

Getting consistent minutes under close inspection were Taurean Prince and Landry Shamet.  In 42 minutes, Prince was 5 of 11 (55%) from the floor with five boards, and Shamet in 39 minutes was 4 of 12 (33%) with just one assist but six rebounds.

Meanwhile, DeAndre Jordan and Jarrett Allen remain at the center of my attention.  Against Washington, in splitting 32 minutes, the two joined for only seven points with eleven defensive boards.  Coach Nash started Jordan for a second straight game.  DeAndre against Boston made no attempts from the field and was 1 of 2 from the line.  However, he did tie with a team-high five assists with four rebounds, three steals, and two blocked shots in 19-minutes.  In 17-minutes off the bench, an aggressive Jarrett Allen was 5 of 6 from the line with nine points overall.  He secured a game-high eleven boards and was a +20 for the game.

Now the fun really starts.  Brooklyn's regular-season commences this coming Tuesday night against the Golden State Warriors at the Flatbush Avenue Gym.  Ironic that Tuesday's opener is against the team for which Kevin Durant last played an NBA game.  He tore his Achillies mid-June 2019 during Game 5 of the NBA Finals.  By month's end, the free agent agreed to sign with the Nets.

Flatbush was a playoff team last season minus Kyrie Irving's services, who played just twenty games.  After appearing in the team's first eleven games, he missed the next two months from mid-November through mid-January.  Kyrie returned to play nine more games.  However, Feb. 2, at Washington would be his last of the season.  He would ultimately undergo surgery to relieve a right shoulder impingement.  Through two pre-seasons games, like Kevin Durant, Irving's performance appeared free and unrestricted.  He's also made peace with the media after referring to them as pawns - a matter, however, that doesn't interest me much.  All that matters to me is his ability to stay on the floor.

From the outside looking in, this team can appear cliquish to the casual observer.  I do not believe so.  But that's going to be Steve Nash's responsibility to discern.  For you have Nash, Mike D'Antoni, and Amare Stoudemire, who all have a long relationship together.  You have assistant coach Jacque Vaughn and the Flatbush cultivated crew of Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and even Rodions Kurucs.  Lastly, you have the incoming triumvirate of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan, who together agreed to join forces.  I'm looking forward to an agreeable melding of minds between Nash, Durant, and Irving.  However, I'm also curious to see who is trying to be the alpha personality on any given day.

I trust that Sean Marks thought all this through ...

#NoHarden

Brooklyn Nets: Wait Till Next Year is Dead Ahead

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Raptors def. Nets; 4-0

I - TOR 134; BKN 110

II - TOR 104; BKN 99

III - TOR 117; BKN 92

IV - TOR 150; BKN 122

Trounced in two, swept in four ... I believe game one was closer that the final score indicates.

In any event, when the opposing bench scores 100 points (game four) there's no need sifting through the minutiae of what went wrong.  Give Toronto their respect as defending NBA champs and move on.  It's time for Brooklyn to get back in the lab.

We all know the Nets this season were a very compromised team.  All things considered I'm actually quite pleased with how the season ends.  Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen and Joe Harris are thrust into the team's primary positions of leadership.  The experience gained is invaluable.  These are the requisite growing pains.  In the meantime, enjoy the rest of summer best you can.  For the Hopes of Flatbush lay dead ahead.

How effective will Kevin Durant be upon his return to the floor?  Will Kyrie Irving be able to sustain a full season?  Will he have kinder things to say about his teammates?  Will the two mega stars mesh?  This remains to be seen.

But what if Irving is right?  Do the Nets have the requisite in-house pieces in order to facilitate a championship?  What if the Nets do not have the right mix of talent?  Does Sean Marks need to go off campus for another formidable threat?

Joe Harris is the team's most notable free agent.  Sean Marks says re-signing him is a top priority.  Whereas I have my reservations.  He is an easily blunted dagger in the Nets attack.  When teams decide to shut him down, they do.

Brooklyn has eleven players under contract entering next season: Kevin Durant; Kyrie Irving; DeAndre Jordan; Caris LeVert; Rodions Kurucs; Dzanan Musa; Nicolas Claxton; Taurean Prince and Jeremiah Martin ... meanwhile, extending the contracts of Jarrett Allen and Spencer Dinwiddie will not be easy.  The Nets have an option on Garrett Temple, but what Sean Marks does about Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot is anyone's guess.

There is also a new head coach up for discussion.

Change is most certainly on the horizon.

But make no mistake, the future has arrived.

Defending Champion Raptors Too Much for Depleted Brooklyn Nets

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Raptors Lead Nets; 3-0

I - TOR 134; BRK 110

II - TOR 104; BRK 99

III - TOR 117; BRK 92 

IV - SUNDAY

No Shots for Jarrett Allen; No Chance For Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are a proverbial rubber band of brothers finally stretched to its limit and ready to snap.  At this point trying to remain competitive is just too much to ask from a team lacking so many key players from their once idealized line-up and rotation.  Now with Joe Harris suddenly out of action it invites Toronto to clamp down on Jarrett Allen.  I look at the score and the 25 point differential and think that doesn't happen with 20 points from Joe Harris and a better night scoring from "Mr. Double-Double" Jarret Allen and the bench.  We'd be writing a different story.  But that's not the way it happens.  Jarrett Allen secures a game high 17 rebounds, five on the offensive boards, but is limited to just four points all from the free throw line.  Caris LeVert went from averaging double-digit assists through two games to being limited to just six along with 15 points.  It also seems as if Toronto just lets Tyler Johnson score 23 points.  Garrett Temple goes a mere 2/12 and 1/9 from the arc.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot wasn't much better shooting 3/18 from the floor and 2/11 from the arc.  Out of 90 field goal attempts the Nets take 56.6% from the arc, and I have a problem with that.  And speaking of their 90 attempts, the Nets convert just 33.3% of the time.  The Raptors, meanwhile, are 50.5% (46/91) from the field.  The Nets are out-rebounded 48-33, which wasn't happening before.  Toronto does a better of distribution, 35-24, also something that wasn't happening before.  Coach Vaughn asks for 67-minutes from his bench.  Chris Chiozza leads the reserves with 14 points in 23 minutes, with three assists and four steals, but I can't say much else for the other six.  For the second time in three games Toronto leads wire to wire.  However, this is the first game the Nets truly get outplayed.

Brooklyn Nets: Toronto Raptors Outlast Flatbush in Game Two

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Raptors Lead Nets; 2-0

I - TOR 134; BRK 110

II - TOR 104; BRK 99

Lesson: It's Not How You Start, It's How You Finish

If nothing else game two confirms what I said after Monday's series opener: the Brooklyn Nets did not get blown out.

They are nevertheless down two games to none.

Lose your legs and there goes your shot; the onrush of turnovers begins shortly thereafter.

That's what happens ...

Brooklyn's shot selection and execution deteriorate in the fourth, and they end up shooting 38.8% from the field with 17 turnovers.

Flatbush essentially leads all game with exception of an occasional tie here and there.  They take a 53-50 lead into the half, and lead 80-74 after three.  They still lead 85-84 with eight minutes left, then just run out of gas.  OG Anunoby converts a pair of free throws and Serge Ibaka then buries a jumper from mid-range giving the Raptors an 88-85 lead from which the Raptors never look back.

There is a matter of workload.  All five Nets starters exceed 35-minutes.  Jarrett Allen plays 41-minutes while Joe Harris and Caris LeVert each play 39-minutes.  Coach Vaughn limits bench play to Rodions Kurucs, Chris Chiozza and Tyler Johnson who join together for fifty total minutes.  Meanwhile, he Raptors utilize four bench players for a total of sixty-nine minutes.

Otherwise, I watched an inspired but tiring defensive effort.  They win the battle of the boards, 62-56,  while limiting the Raptors to 104 points - a noteworthy effort considering Toronto has very effective perimeter shooters at all positions.  The game marks the Nets second least points allowed since entering the bubble after an Aug. 11 game in which they yield just 96 points to the Wizards.

The Nets aggressiveness on the offensive end is just as noticeable.  They do a better job of ball distribution and getting to the foul line where they attempt an unheard of 27 shots from the stripe.  It marks their most attempts since entering the bubble, after averaging 23 attempts through eight seeding games and just 16 attempts in game one.  And unlike game one, they limit Toronto to under thirty attempts.  It's the seventh time in the last ten games they've limited the opposition to under thirty free throws.

Garrett Temple leads the Nets with 21 points including 5/11 from the arc.  Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen post identical double-doubles with fourteen points and a game high fifteen rebounds respectively.  Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot adds seventeen points.  Tyler Johnson shoots 5/10 from the field with twelve points in 22 minutes off the bench.

During last year's post-season against Philadelphia Caris LeVert appears in five games and starts two.  He boasts a 49.3FG%, while averaging 21.0 points (26.2 points per 36-minutes) with three assists in 28.8 average minutes.  This year is very different.  LeVert, in the absence of the team's premiere players and litany of regulars missing from the active roster, is being asked to bear the weight of this Borough upon his shoulders in his first playoff as a full time starter.  In game one he scores fifteen points and distributes a game high fifteen assists.  In game two he scores sixteen and again distributes a game high eleven assists.  However, he is shooting only 27.7% (10/36) from the field.  The still 25-year old celebrates a birthday later this month, and his future is looking brighter by the day.

In the meantime, I can only reiterate the fine effort on behalf of Brooklyn.  But in truth Toronto outlasts Flatbush down the stretch.  Depth is on Toronto's side, the Nets not so much.  And now we can add another name to the list of unavailable: Joe Harris has officially opted out of the bubble.

That said, there is still a lot worth taking away from these last two games that are not reflected in the score.  It was never about this season to begin with.  Sean Marks' grade is obviously still incomplete.
Much still remains to be determined.  No one knows it better than him.  For now what doesn't kill the Nets only makes them stronger heading into next season.  That's not being defeatist.  That's being delighted.  These learning experiences are invaluable.

#WeGoHard

Brooklyn Nets Generosity at the Line Belies Their Efforts

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

GAME ONE

Nets      115

Raptors 134

FINAL

THE SCORE   ~   THE ARC   ~   THE STRIPE   ~   THE LOSS

During the first 64 regular season games prior to the Covid intermission Flatbush averages 111.8-points for and 112-points against.  Once in the bubble they close out the regular season with a 5-3 record, averaging an elevated 119.8-points per game and an identical 119.8-points against.

Versus Toronto the Nets stay true by scoring their obligatory 115 points.  However, they lose by a 24-point decrepancy.  Where this differential exists is easily identifiable.  I keep looking from the score, to the free throw line, then the arc, then back to the score, to the free throw line, to the arc and repeat.

When the clock is frozen the Nets get in trouble.  They continually issue their opponent anywhere from 24 to 29 free throw attempts per game.  Meanwhile, Brooklyn does not get to the stripe nearly as many times, and when there they oft times perform poorly - Monday's game is the latest example (68% from the line).  Toronto becomes Brooklyn's second opponent since entering the bubble to attempt upwards of thirty shots from the line.  The last time Brooklyn whistled away thirty-plus attempts (35) came during a 149-115 blowout against the Celtics - Point Differential: +34 in favor of the Celtics.

The teams are near even on the boards, 47-45, in favor of the Raptors, but Brooklyn does a better job of distribution with 33 assists versus 26 for Toronto.  And the field goal exchange against Toronto is negligible and here's why: Coach Vaughn's mid-range game is working.


3-Point Point Differential: +27 points in favor of TORONTO

• Nets: 32% on 13/42 from the arc for 39 points.
• Raptors: 50% on 22/44 from the arc for 66 points.

All Other FG Point Differential: +24 points in favor of NETS

• Nets shoot 60% on 30/50 from everywhere else for 60 points.
• Raptors shoot 43.9% on 18/41 from everywhere else for 36 points.

Total FG/Points Differential: + 3 in favor of TORONTO

• Nets: 99 points
• Raptors: 102 points

The Free Throw Files

I - vs. FINAL EIGHT

• Nets last eight regular opponents shoot 81.4% on 171/210 from the line, averaging per game 80% on 21/26 from the line.

• Meanwhile, the Nets shoot just 75.9% on 142/187 from the line, averaging per game 73% on 17/23 from the line.

• Point Differential: +23 points in favor of opponents

II - vs. TORONTO RAPTORS

Toronto's Frank VanFleet leads game one with 30 points.  Of all people he is the lone Toronto Raptor all game to miss a free throw:

Free Throw Point Differential: +21 points in favor of the RAPTORS.

• Nets are 68.8% on 11/16 from the stripe, for eleven points.
• Raptors are 97% on 32/33 from the stripe, for 32 points.  

Thirty-five attempts by Boston leads to a 34-point loss, and now thirty-three attempts by Toronto lead to a 24-point loss.

We know Flatbush made it this far minus many of their starters and key members off the bench.  They deserve credit for being as consistent as they've been, including Monday's opening match against the Raptors.  The Nets were not blown out.  I still expect an extended series.

That said, I've been telling myself the Nets will get nowhere without substantial contributions from everyone not named Joe Harris, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.  In major need of one of Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot's patented "24-point" efforts, on Monday he scores a team leading and personal season high 26-points in 33 minutes off the bench.  Jarrett Allen goes double-double with fifteen points and a game high eleven rebounds.  Joe Harris puts in a standard night with 19 points and 3/5 from the arc.  Caris LeVert only converts on 5/14 attempts from the field, and goes 0/3 from the arc for 15 points, but easily leads the floor in ball distribution with 15 assists.

Hello, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, good to see you again.

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush is Just Bubblicious

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

ROUND ONE

TORONTO RAPTORS(#2)

vs.

BROOKLYN NETS(#7)

The Nets with Tuesday's victory over Orlando improve to 35-36 (.492), leaving one last regular season game remaining against Portland.  Thursday's goal no doubt is about achieving par.  A victory would certainly add that special exclamation point to an already commendable performance in the bubble, not to mention punctuate consecutive playoff appearances, despite their dearth of top available regulars.

But, beware, the Trail Blazers still have much to play for.  They enter Thursday's action struggling to maintain their eighth place standing in the West.  Portland holds a tenuous half-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies, who wrap up against the Milwaukee Bucks.  Come Thursday night Brooklyn should expect an intense Blazers effort.  Flatbush clinched their playoff spot a few days ago.  They're 5-2 since restarting play, and 7-2 under head coach Jacque Vaughn.  They take a three game win streak into Thursday's season finale.

TUESDAY

Nets    108

Magic    96

FINAL

Tuesday, as expected, Jarret Allen, Caris LeVert, and Joe Harris, under the guise of injury management, do not play.  Garrett Temple is simply given the night off.  It's worth noting Orlando already has the eight spot locked up.  That said, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot leads the floor with his third 24-point/plus performance in seven games, and his second within a week.  He is matched only by Jeremiah Martin's 24-points, who also distributes a game high six assists off the bench.  Dzanan Musa also has six assists with 17-points.  Rodions Kurucs attempts only four shots in 25-minutes, but along with Donta Hall secures a team high eight rebounds.

Brooklyn's emerging maelstrom, Caris LeVert, since entering the bubble is averaging 22.6 points in 33 minutes.  In just the Nets second game back, Caris scores 34 points against the Wizards.  This past
Sunday against the L.A. Clippers LeVert goes double-double with 27 points and 13 assists.  He has distributed at least seven assists in three of five games, and is averaging 19.4 shots attempts, but a light 6.4 attempts from the free throw line.

I just hope Jarrett Allen's ankle sprain is a minor matter, and that he'll be able to withstand the pounding to come against Toronto.  That's my guy we're talking about.  Three double-doubles in five games back: 22 points and 15 boards against the Bullets; 17 points and 11 boards against the Kings; and most recently 16 points and 16 rebounds against the Clippers.

Meanwhile, Joe Harris is averaging 20.2 points since returning, while averaging 4/7 from beyond the arc for a stellar 57.5% rate of success.

THURSDAY

Portland Trail Blazers  vs.  Brooklyn Nets

  #WeGoHard

Brooklyn Nets: Flatbush Bucks the Naysayers

From the desk of: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

TWO IN A ROW 

TUESDAY

Nets      119

Bucks   116

FINAL

! MAJOR UPSET !

Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scores a career high 26-points as the Brooklyn Nets deny the Milwaukee Bucks an opportunity to clinch top seed in the Eastern Conference.  Flatbush takes a 73-65 lead into halftime, then hold on for a stunning 119-116 upset. 

Making this a wondrous event is the fact that Brooklyn defeats Milwaukee minus the services of Kevin Durant; Kyrie Irving; DeAndre Jordan; Spencer Dinwiddie; Wilson Chandler; Taurean Prince; Caris LeVert; Joe Harris; and Jarrett Allen.  Meanwhile, Jamal Crawford's Nets debut is fleeting.  He exits Tuesday's game with a strained hamstring after just six minutes played.

That being said, both the Nets and Bucks appear in agreement insofar as defense be damned - no such effort Tuesday afternoon.  The Nets convert on just 43 of 103 (41.7%) attempts from the field, while hitting 21 of 57 (36.8%) attempts from beyond the arc.  Milwaukee is 42 of 88 (47.7%) from the field.

Timothe, after scoring 24-points in the Nets return game last Friday, leads the way connecting on five of seven from beyond the arc, and shooting a perfect five for five from the line.  Garret Temple is next in with 19-points.  Chris Chiozza goes double-double with ten points, and a game high ten assists, in 31-minutes off the bench.

Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo partakes in the first half only, yet still leads the Bucks with 16-points in 16-minutes played.  Former Nets favorite Brook Lopez did not play.

Flatbush (32-35) slides back into seventh place, one-half game ahead of Orlando.