Brooklyn Nets: 5 takeaways from foray with the defending champs

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1. Russell bounces back after late-game mistakes

On Friday night, the D’Angelo Russell of the Brooklyn Nets let a win against the New Orleans Pelicans slip right out of his hands. He had taken all the blame onto himself, stating in a postgame interview:

"“All my fault. We’ve got to be better honestly, focused, 47 minutes and 36 seconds. And that other 20 some odd seconds we weren’t focused. I wasn’t. That’s where that mistake happened. Just got to be better.”"

Sunday night against the Warriors, Russell started off the game well. He took advantage of a slower big man in Damian Jones and putting together plays for others. He was disruptive against Stephen Curry, despite Curry being 3-for-3 from 3 by the end of the first quarter.

Despite having five turnovers on the game, Russell stayed active, especially down the stretch, helping the team cut the once 19-point deficit down to two points late into the fourth.

A string of four 3-pointers by Russell and Allen Crabbe in the middle of the last quarter gave the Nets the momentum to make a run.

The New Orleans fiasco overshadowed a good game from D-Lo, especially from beyond the arc. Sunday night, he hit 5-of-8 3s, continuing an early good shooting start for the budding star.

He will look to continue his hot shooting and his improved all-around game Monday night against the Knicks.