Brooklyn Nets: 3 things to watch in season finale against Heat
By Phil Watson
1. Atkinson undecided as of Tuesday about rest vs. momentum
Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, headed to the postseason as a head coach for the first time, was appropriately vague on Tuesday when discussing his lineup options for Wednesday’s season finale against the Miami Heat.
More. 7 Hall of Famers people forget were Nets. light
As far as who plays and how much? Atkinson said the decisions had yet to be made prior to practice on Tuesday. per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
"“We’re still discussing that. See how guys react after practice, see how they react in the morning. So no decision’s been made there.”"
There were games Tuesday night that could have affected Brooklyn’s playoff fate — the Detroit Pistons’ outcome against the Memphis Grizzlies in particular — so those variables could not have been factored in at the time Atkinson addressed the media.
Allen Crabbe is already done for the season after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and on Tuesday, the Nets listed veteran forward DeMarre Carroll as out with a sprained right wrist.
Carroll went back to the locker room for treatment during Sunday’s win over the Indiana Pacers and when he returned to the bench, YES Network’s Michael Grady reported he was available.
The 10th-year veteran played only 16 minutes against the Pacers and did not re-enter the game after returning to the bench with his right wrist taped.
Joe Harris, the NBA’s 3-point shooting leader at 47.4 percent, has the title — outside of some hugely improbable outcomes on Wednesday — secured whether or not he plays against Miami. He is questionable with a sore right foot.
Harris enjoyed Monday’s off day watching his alma mater, Virginia, win its first national championship with an overtime win over Texas Tech in Minneapolis. Harris talked about the close bonds between players in the Virginia program, past and present.
"“We’re all still very close. So for me to be there and be a part of it [Monday] night was amazing. It was really special, to be honest.”"
D’Angelo Russell, who has already set career-highs with 80 starts and 2,428 minutes played this season, indicated he would play in his 81st game of the season — setting another personal best in the process.
"“[Shoot], we’re trying to win. It makes sense if guys are banged up to rest. But I’m playing.”"
The Heat will be sending Dwyane Wade into retirement in the finale on Wednesday and the future Hall of Famer scored 30 points Tuesday night in his final appearance in Miami, a 122-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Russell has been on the other end of a legend’s goodbye game, having played for the Los Angeles Lakers in Kobe Bryant‘s 60-point, 50-shot send-off on April 13, 2016, in what was the final game of Russell’s rookie season.
Russell was Wade’s choice for a jersey swap when the teams met in South Florida last month, something that was special to the young Nets All-Star.
"“It was big time. You hear a player of that caliber give you credit and validation, it’s big hearing it from your peers versus hearing it from somebody else, just knowing that you belong and knowing you’re in a position to be great. That’s what I want to be. I’ll cherish [the jersey swap] forever.”"
So who plays? Who sits?
Who knows?