Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from successful Memphis visit
By Phil Watson
Brooklyn Nets. D'ANGELO RUSSELL. A-. 36 MIN, 23 PTS, 7-for-16 (3-for-7), 6-for-6 FT, 4 REB, 10 AST, 1 PF, 1 STL, 4 TO, +12. PG
D’Angelo Russell ran the show extremely well again Friday night on the way to posting back-to-back games with 20 points and 10 assists for the first time in his career.
It’s also his third straight game with at least 20 points, the second time this season he’s put together such a string.
Russell has also played bigger minutes in the last two games since being rested in the Dec. 29 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, playing 35 minutes in the win Wednesday over the New Orleans Pelicans and 36 on Friday night.
Friday’s workload was his largest of the season in a regulation game, topped only by the 45 minutes logged in the Brooklyn Nets’ double-overtime loss to these Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 30.
The only knock on Russell’s performance Friday was the four turnovers.
JOE HARRIS. A. 29 MIN, 18 PTS, 7-for-11 (3-for-5), 1-for-1 FT, 5 REB (1 ORB), 4 AST, 4 PF, 1 STL, 2 TO, +4. SG/SF. Brooklyn Nets
Joe Harris, shooter, has completely transformed into Joe Harris, all-around basketball player.
Harris was his usual sharp-shooting self, to be sure, knocking down at least three 3-pointers for the ninth time in his last 10 games, but his evolution as a facilitator and ball-handler continues to impress.
Where he’s gotten very good is when he drives into the lane — which he does well as a finisher, as well — Harris has learned how to move defenders with his eyes and with ball fakes to create passing lanes, something he showed twice Friday night with plays leading to Jarrett Allen jams.
When you can fool Marc Gasol, a former Defensive Player of the Year, you’ve mastered the skill pretty well.