Brooklyn Nets: Troubling trends continue in bad loss to Hornets — 3 takeaways

1. Dinwiddie as quick as ever

Offensively, Spencer Dinwiddie showed few ill effects of a 14-game layoff after thumb surgery, scoring 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting with four assists and a steal in 23 minutes. It was his first game action since Jan. 23.

Dinwiddie had his burst going early, getting his first basket on his first attempt of the game after getting a favorable switch, with big man Bismack Biyombo trying to guard him above the break.

As has often been the case this season, it was no contest.

The problem for Dinwiddie, who did turn the ball over twice, was getting into foul trouble. He picked up his third personal on an offensive foul, pushing off against Jeremy Lamb on a drive, with 38 seconds left in the first half.

He picked up No. 4 early in the fourth quarter and had to come out once again. He did return and finished with five fouls, playing the final 5:29 after being whistled for his fifth.

Dinwiddie’s driving game and ability to kick out to shooters did give the offense a boost, but the Hornets did a very effective job of negating Joe Harris, who was just 1-for-4 from 3-point range and finished with nine points.

Still, with Dinwiddie back and able to press matchup advantages off the dribble, that should add a wrinkle to the offense that had been missing for the last five weeks.