Brooklyn Nets: Player grades from demolition of Kings
By Phil Watson
C. Brooklyn Nets. ED DAVIS. A-. 25 MIN, 6 PTS, 2-for-2, 2-for-2 FT, 16 REB (2 ORB), 1 AST, 1 PF, 1 STL, 2 TO, +17
Ed Davis matched a season-high with 16 rebounds for the Brooklyn Nets on Monday, adding another pile of boards to an already impressive collection.
Davis didn’t look to score a lot against the Sacramento Kings, but was extremely efficient when he got his chances, and also played solid defense and cleaned the defensive glass with ferocity.
He is also an excellent screener in the Brooklyn Nets’ 5-out look, even if he can get a little happy with his feet and hands at times.
SF/PF. Brooklyn Nets. DEMARRE CARROLL. B. 24 MIN, 9 PTS, 3-for-8 (1-for-5), 2-for-4 FT, 4 REB, 1 AST, 1 PF, 2 TO, 0
DeMarre Carroll didn’t have the touch from deep on Monday, but he made up for it with solid defense and was more aggressive looking to penetrate.
Carroll is averaging 15 points per game in nine January games, while also getting 5.4 rebounds and is shooting 43.3 percent overall and 40.4 percent from 3-point range.
When Carroll is shooting this well from deep, he becomes a needed floor spacer for the Nets.
When defenses have to commit to honoring Carroll’s deep threat, that just creates more space and driving lanes to get the ball into the paint, where the full spectrum of drive-and-score and drive-and-kick opportunities becomes available.