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Nets: Here’s how Caris LeVert hit next level against Wizards on Sunday

ByJerry Trotta|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball on offense against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 08: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball on offense against the Chicago Bulls in the first half at Barclays Center on March 08, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets forward Caris LeVert made key adjustments that allowed him to dominate the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

The Brooklyn Nets bounced back from their humiliating opening game defeat in Disney World by toppling the Wizards 118-110 on Sunday. It was really a must-win contest for interim head coach Jacque Vaughn as the victory further cushioned Brooklyn’s lead over Washington for the eighth seed in the East to seven games.

Now, the Nets have plenty of breathing room. If they were to lose their remaining seeded games and finished 1-7, the 0-2 Wizards would need to go at least 3-3 the rest of the way to force a play-in tournament for the final spot in the playoffs.

This was simply a massive dub for Brooklyn and it can be credited to the adjustments they made to unleash leading scorer Caris LeVert, who finished with a game-high 34 points, seven rebounds and three assists while shooting 10-of-13 from the charity stripe.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1290024552978882560

"“Last game, they were doubling a lot and let that take me out of what I was doing,” LeVert told reporters after the game. “But going into the game I was like, ‘I’m not going to let that take me out of the game. I’m not going to let that take us out of what we’re trying to do.’ We figured it out. I’m going to go iso; I’m going to go low and catch it. Sometimes in the post, sometimes at the top of the key.”"

The 25-year-old forward was quick to give up possession against the Orlando Magic, who game-planned to double team and harass him coming off screens. On Sunday, however, LeVert waived off screens from Jarrett Allen, which, in turn avoided double-teams and allowed him the space to go to work in isolation, as evidenced by this awesome highlight montage:

The execution was flawless, particularly in the second half when the former first-round pick scored 25 of his 34 points, which included 14 in the closing seven minutes as the Nets finished the game on an 18-6 run to seal the win.

Brooklyn didn’t shoot particularly well in this one, but managed to hit 31-of-37 free throw attempts, which marked just the third time this season that the team made 30 or more foul shots in a game.

The odds are certainly stacked against them, but the Nets are just a half-game behind the Magic for the No. 7 seed. At this point, avoiding the Milwaukee Bucks in the opening round of the playoffs has to be their top priority, and they will need LeVert to be at the top of his game for that to happen.