Brooklyn Nets: Analyzing the team’s 8 games leading up to the Playoffs

Game 2 – Nets vs Kings

The NBA introduced the Sacramento Kings to their “second act” despite the team’s position 3.5 games outside the original playoff picture. The Nets knocked off the Kings with ease during their only contest this year, defeating them at home 116-97. But as a youthful and hungry team, they stand as no easy impediment for the Nets to surpass en route to the playoffs.

This year De’Aaron Fox successfully took the always critical “second step” during his third year, now leading his team with 20.4 points, 6.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His speed and stingy playstyle might cause some trouble for Brooklyn, but to lose sleep over it contrarily seems like an overreaction as well.

Dinwiddie and LeVert’s numbers both matchup almost identically to their Sacramento opponents’, and LeVert’s amazing athleticism combined with Dinwiddie’s craftiness keeps the Nets well equipped to combat Fox’s attributes both offensively and defensively. But at the forward position, veteran Harrison Barnes sticks out as a more probable candidate to hurt the Nets.

This year, the Nets struggled terribly to defend against the pick and roll. For some reason unable to figure things out against this “bread and butter” type offense, the Nets ranked dead last giving up 23.2 points per game to ball handlers while attempting to defend against it.

With potentially a roll man to set things up like Barnes, who possesses both the ability to attack the rim and threaten from outside, and excellent off-screen shooters like Fox, Buddy Hield, and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Kings might take advantage and run this set down Brooklyn’s throat all night long.

Controlling the glass seems like Brooklyn’s best chance to win, and also seems like an easily attainable feat, as only the Bucks averaged more RPG than the Nets this year, while the Kings rank just two up from the bottom spot.

Likely getting their way inside, expect solid games from both Jordan and Jarrett Allen, which hopefully also opens up more opportunities for Joe Harris, Dinwiddie, and LeVert to create additional offense off of the kick.