Brooklyn Nets: Breaking down Summer League loss to Houston Rockets

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 11: Zhou Qi #9 of the Houston Rockets goes to the basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Brooklyn Nets Defense

The Nets commonly gave their opponents too much room. Now, giving your opponent some space can be a good idea ,but against the 3-point shooting heavy Rockets squad, it was not.

Due to the open space, Houston connected on a 12 3-point shots and took advantage of the lanes for some great passing.

Brooklyn Nets /

Brooklyn Nets

Throughout the game, Brooklyn had serious trouble defending the paint and down low. Houston did a great job passing the ball to cutting players and even making extra passes by the basket. The Nets struggled guarding the lane and made it too easy for the Rockets to drive to the basket.

At some points late in the game, it looked like Brooklyn gave up on the defensive end.

Brooklyn had serious trouble guarding the pick-and-roll. The Nets would focus too much on the ball and not the cutters and rollers, leading to Houston driving and drawing fouls. They also struggled with their extra pass defense; especially down low.

To go along with the extra passes was their back-door defense. The Nets struggled to control back-door cuts, which almost always ended in fouls or points for Houston. Brooklyn failed to close out extra pass opportunities which was a huge X-factor in their loss.

The Nets dominated the glass overall with a 52-37 advantage, but gave up 10 offensive rebounds, leading to second-chance opportunities.

The Nets had trouble boxing out Houston’s big frontcourt throughout the game due to Brooklyn’s size and strength mismatches.