Brooklyn Nets: 5 takeaways from a goring at the Garden

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3. Dinwiddie was Brooklyn Nets’ last hope

While it was the shortcomings of the second unit that helped the Golden State Warriors pull out to such a big lead Sunday night against the Brooklyn Nets, it was that same group that gave Brooklyn its only opportunity to try and stay in the game against the New York Knicks on Monday.

The bench outscored the starters 61-35, with Dinwiddie leading the way with a team-high 17 points to go with three assists and a couple of blocked shots.

Dinwiddie was especially effective in attacking big men Enes Kanter and Mitchell Robinson after switches. He scored once on a blow-by against Kanter and then punished Robinson with a hesitation dribble.

You could see it coming. Robinson moved laterally, saw that hesitation and his legs buckled just a bit. In that instant, Dinwiddie dashed to the rim for a strong one-handed flush.

In the fourth quarter, Dinwiddie did most of his damage, scoring 10 points and giving the Nets a last gasp toward staying in the game as they cut New York’s 25-point lead to 11 at one point.

The comeback ultimately fizzled and the Nets took a 19-point loss on the chin, but Dinwiddie showed once again why he’s going to be one of the more sought-after next-tier free agents next summer … unless he gets an extension before then.