Brooklyn Nets: 5 takeaways from preseason opening loss to Knicks

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BROOKLYN, NY – OCTOBER 3: Treveon Graham #21 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during a pre-season game on October 3, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Let’s hope the Nets got that out of their systems

Jan. 6. That was the last time the Brooklyn Nets had a night as bad from 3-point range as they had in the preseason opener on Wednesday.

It was the only time last season the Nets shot less than 20 percent from behind the arc. In that Jan. 6 game against the Boston Celtics at Barclays Center, Brooklyn was 6-for-31 (19.4 percent) in an 87-85 loss to the Celtics.

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Yep, make even one more and the game goes the other way.

On Wednesday, the Nets were 8-for-41 (19.5 percent) in a five-point loss to the Knicks.

Most of the looks were good. Most of the looks were open. Most of the looks were bricked anyway.

When a team misses that many shots, there’s never a solitary culprit. Pretty much the entire team shared the lack of wealth, with the exception of camp signee Nuni Omot, who hit his only 3-point attempt.

Otherwise, oof.

Joe Harris, a 42 percent shooter from long range last season: 2-for-8. Allen Crabbe, who shot 44 percent two seasons ago with the Trail Blazers: 2-for-6. Caris LeVert: 1-for-5. D’Angelo Russell: 1-for-4.

Treveon Graham, signed specifically because of his 3-and-D potential: 0-for-5 with a couple of horrifically bad misses.

Jared Dudley was 1-for-2 from range, the only other Net to sink a shot from out there.

Brooklyn’s defense was, for the most part, better than it was last season. They defended the 3-point line well, allowing the Knicks to hit just 5-of-15 from beyond. They outscored the Knicks in the paint, 46-44, in spite of Enes Kanter’s efforts on the offensive glass.

Heck, the Nets only lost the second-chance points battle by 18-16 and were outrebounded by only a 58-57 margin.

Many of the things they did poorly last season they did well Wednesday night. They won the turnover battle 25-18. They did not, however, win the battle of points off turnovers, which was 25-25.

In the end, it came down to making shots. New York was 38-for-81 (46.9 percent) overall. Brooklyn was 37-for-95 (38.9 percent). Usually when you get 14 more shots than your opponent, you win.

The Nets got the shots they wanted. They just couldn’t make them. Players such as Crabbe, Harris and Graham are established shooters. This was an anomaly.

Even better, it was a preseason anomaly, which is the epitome of “no harm, no foul.” Get this out of the way now, before the games start to really count.