Brooklyn Nets vs. Philadelphia 76ers Takeaways and Grades 3/28/17

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Mar 28, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Nik Stauskas (11) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) during first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

Takeaways

1) Threes were just not dropping

Because of the close proximity of the score throughout the contest, both teams’ shooting was very similar. The Sixers shot 42.9 percent from the field and 30.3 percent from behind the arc, while the Nets shot 40.4 percent and 28.1 percent from downtown. Both teams attempt three-pointers at an extremely high rate — Brooklyn ranks fourth in the NBA with 31.6 attempts per game; Philadelphia ranks seventh with 29.4. However, the Nets are arguably known as a team that’s much more reliant on three-point shooting, and they just couldn’t use this facet in their arsenal last night. The Nets couldn’t buy a three when it counted, either, with Lopez’s potential game-tying three in the final minute falling off the mark.

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2) Free throws kept the Nets afloat

While the Sixers ended up with about the same amount of free throws as the Nets, Brooklyn was much more reliant on foul shots. This was apparent in the second quarter, when the Nets hit nine of their 12 free throw attempts, which ultimately helped them successfully rally and resulted in just a one-point deficit at halftime. It became even clearer just how much free throws carried the team after the Nets went through scoring droughts. In the final four-and-a-half minutes of the third quarter and first minute of the fourth, the Nets missed a total of 14 straight shots, but only trailed by three.

3) The Nets’ loss may have been the Magic’s greatest gift!

Thankfully, there’s no purpose in tanking for the Nets, so they can still fight even while remaining at the bottom of the NBA. Unfortunately, other teams, like the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers, do not have this luxury. Towards the end of the game, Orlando Magic Daily writer Al Grullon tweeted at NBN a few times to express his desire for the Sixers to come out on top in this matchup.

After last night’s round of NBA games, Orlando still remains as Brooklyn’s good neighbor at the floor of the NBA standings. They are also one game behind the Sixers and New York Knicks. If the Magic keep their spot as the second-worst team in the East (record-wise), then they will have a better chance of landing a higher lottery pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Thus, the Nets’ loss propelled the Sixers higher in the standings, which could ultimately benefit the Magic. Well, you’re welcome, Magic fans.