Brooklyn Nets: 3 reasons why Caris LeVert could be a game-changer

The Brooklyn Nets visit the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. Caris LeVert could be the X-factor.

If the Brooklyn Nets have a definite advantage in any area of their Eastern Conference First Round series against the Philadelphia 76ers, it is their bench.

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The Nets finished the season with the second-most productive reserve unit in the NBA, getting 47.7 points per game from their bench. The 76ers, conversely, had one of the least-productive bench units, ranking 27th in bench scoring at 31.4 points per game.

Philadelphia has one of the best starting units in the league, with two current All-Stars in Joel Embiid (if he’s healthy and available) and Ben Simmons along with a former All-Star in Jimmy Butler.

Tobias Harris has been a No. 1 option for teams in the past and J.J. Redick is an elite role player as a shooter.

But Brooklyn can throw out a starting-caliber backcourt on its second unit with Spencer Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert.

It is LeVert who could be the swing vote, as it were, in the series. LeVert was Brooklyn’s leading scorer early in the season before a foot injury sidelined him for 42 games.

After a tough adjustment period getting his timing and rhythm back, LeVert has been rock solid over the Nets’ final eight games, averaging 16.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 26.6 minutes per game while shooting 48.9 percent overall and a very hot 45.2 percent on 3.9 3-point attempts a game.

Compare what Brooklyn can do with its second-unit backcourt to the 76ers and there’s a serious gap to consider.

The 76ers use T.J. McConnell to back up Simmons at the point, while the backup 2 spot has been an array of players getting looks, particularly since rookie Landry Shamet went to the LA Clippers in the deal that brought Harris to Philadelphia.

Here are three reasons why LeVert could be the fulcrum upon which the series could swing.