In lots of respects, the Nets’ 134-124 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies late Monday night time was predictable.
The Grizzlies are thought-about NBA Finals contenders and introduced again probably the greatest two-way cores in all of basketball, powered by All-NBA lightning rod Ja Morant.
The Nets, however, have the items on paper that learn “Jap Convention Finals contender” however are nonetheless seeking to construct the continuity wanted to beat cohesive groups just like the one in Memphis.
And between the new-look offense and Ben Simmons discovering himself once more on the basketball court docket, it’s going to take a while.
However the Nets’ valiant effort towards a high quality early-season foe served as an ample barometer measuring the place this workforce is in its quest for a deep playoff run. The Nets bent, however by no means broke, and that's an admirable high quality in a workforce that is aware of there's work forward.
GLARING SIZE DISPARITY
If there was a recreation the Nets missed Markieff Morris, this was the one.
Sean Marks signed Morris, recognized for his toughness league-wide, exactly for matchups towards groups that like to make use of their dimension and energy to play a extra bodily model of basketball towards the Nets.
Sadly, Morris, for private causes, didn't journey to Memphis and it's unclear if he might be out there for one more bruising workforce in Milwaukee towards the Bucks on Wednesday. With out him, the Nets have been in foul bother all night time lengthy: Simmons fouled out — on a blunder of a whistle within the fourth quarter — and 6 different gamers recorded at the very least three fouls with your entire beginning 5 in foul bother.
Between huge males Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, and a few stocky wings on Memphis’ perimeter, the Grizzlies have been in a position to make use of their brute pressure to create benefits within the paint and on the glass.
However the Nets really solely completed with three fewer rebounds than their opponent all night time. It was Kyrie Irving who stepped up and led Brooklyn with eight boards. Adams grabbed 13 rebounds and Morant added eight extra, however no different Grizzly grabbed greater than 4.
With out Morris on the ground, it isn’t honest to guage whether or not or not the Nets might have used one other huge man with veteran expertise in free company this offseason. Nic Claxton completed with 16 factors, seven rebounds and two blocks. Second-year huge man Day’Ron Sharpe had some good moments, but in addition completed the sport with 5 fouls.
IDENTITY: RESILIENT
Identical to their come-from-behind win over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, the Nets confirmed the sort of resilience that may very well be their calling card for a deep playoff run. It’s been a trait of theirs ever since they’ve had each Durant and Irving on the court docket collectively: With these two on the ground, there’s by no means a lead too giant for these Nets to beat.
And overcome they did to show a 15-point deficit right into a winnable recreation down the stretch. Had it not been for the Nets falling asleep on protection towards the deep three — each Morant and Desmond Bane hit momentum-shifting 30-footers whereas their defender was asleep — the Nets could have been in a position to pull off a second straight comeback win.
That’s as a result of Durant and Irving’s particular person scoring greatness know no bounds. The 2 scored 37 apiece with solely 16 missed photographs between the 2 of them. It was one thoughts boggling shot after one other, with the 2 stars placing the load of a whole offense, at instances, on their lone shoulders.
SIMMONS NOT READY
And Simmons nonetheless has but to seek out his footing with now three common season video games beneath his belt.
Simmons completed with seven factors, eight assists, 5 turnovers and three rebounds, at instances wanting like a site visitors cone whereas individuals moved round him. It's evident he's nonetheless working to seek out his rhythm and recoup what’s left of what was as soon as an All-NBA participant on each ends of the ground earlier than sitting out a whole season due to psychological well being points and an offseason again surgical procedure.
And it’s additionally evident the Nets are nonetheless working to seek out their offensive pop when he’s within the recreation. With out him, solely Durant, Irving and Claxton scored in double figures.
Perhaps the Nets might use their two injured scorers — Seth Curry (ankle) and T.J. Warren (foot) — just a little bit greater than meets the attention.
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