Brooklyn Nets: 5 takeaways from a horrific finish in New Orleans
By Phil Watson
3. Turnovers still far too big an issue
Last season, the Brooklyn Nets were 25th in the NBA, committing 15.2 turnovers per game. Ball control was a problem for the team last season.
And yet in 82 games, the club committed 20 turnovers or more just six times.
After the Nets coughed the ball up 21 times against the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night, Brooklyn has committed 20 turnovers or more three times in just five games.
The Nets are averaging 19.2 turnovers per game after the loss Friday and if that sounds bad, that’s because it is.
The last time a team posted a turnover count that high was in 1988-89, when the expansion Miami Heat, the really bad San Antonio Spurs and the even-worse Los Angeles Clippers pulled it off.
Because Brooklyn’s defense was solid Friday night, they limited the damage off their 21 turnovers to just 17 points for the Pelicans. But the Nets only got seven points off the 11 turnovers committed by New Orleans. On the road, against a quality opponent, that’s a deadly differential.
Turnovers are going to happen. But the Nets committed far too many of the unforced variety Friday night and it ended up costing them a game they had all but won.