Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from a Halloween thriller

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D'ANGELO RUSSELL. C-. 25 MIN, 6 PTS, 3-for-15 (0-for-6), 2 REB, 6 AST, 2 PF, 3 STL, 2 TO, 1 BLK, -2. PG. Brooklyn Nets

For the second time in two meetings with the Detroit Pistons this season, D’Angelo Russell struggled Wednesday night. Russell scored just six points, but did some good things moving the ball (six assists) and was active defensively with three steals.

But he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with his shot without putting the cows in danger from falling bricks.

And for the second time against the Pistons, Russell was a spectator down the stretch as Spencer Dinwiddie manned the point for most of the fourth quarter and all of overtime.

As has been the case for most of his career, Russell runs hot and cold. He’s in a pretty serious cold spell the last two games, going 7-for-25 overall and 3-for-13 from deep after going 18-for-30 and 11-for-17 in the previous two outings.

B. 25 MIN, 8 PTS, 4-for-9, 7 REB (1 ORB), 3 AST, 2 PF, 1 TO, 1 BLK, +2. PF. Brooklyn Nets. RONDAE HOLLIS-JEFFERSON

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played the big minutes Wednesday night, closing down the stretch in regulation and playing all of the overtime period for the Nets.

Defensively, he tried to slow down Blake Griffin as the former All-Star heated up in the fourth quarter and OT, and came up with some key stops. He also played a big role in closing out defensive stops with his rebounding work,

His biggest play on the offensive end may have been the shot in overtime he didn’t take.

He took a feed from Spencer Dinwiddie as he cut to the middle of the floor, got into the lane and saw Andre Drummond lurking at the rim.

Rather than force a shot against a bigger defender already in an established position, Hollis-Jefferson rifled an two-hand overhead pass to Jared Dudley, who was alone in the corner.

Dudley splashed the 3-pointer to tie the game at 117-117.

His defensive value and versatility are unquestioned and he always brings energy and effort.