Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Knicks fans are going to regret wanting to see BK in playoffs

By Mike Luciano

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks in action against Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 05: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks in action against Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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While the Brooklyn Nets have streaked out to the best record in the Eastern Conference, they are facing some stern competition on the back page from the New York Knicks, who just saw their nine-game winning streak snapped.

Behind Julius Randle and Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have used a grinding defense and efficient offense to take ownership of the No. 4 seed in the conference, putting them outside the range of a potential first-round playoff matchup with the top-seeded Nets.

Kevin Durant, who just returned to the Nets’ lineup after missing some time due to a thigh contusion, is a fan of the two New York teams facing off against one another. While he has said that he welcomes the two rivals clashing in the postseason, is it possible he wants this matchup because he thinks the Nets compare favorably?

Not that this needed confirmation, but Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns proved that the Knicks aren’t invincible and can be taken down by a team with enough firepower. It just so happens that the Nets have the horses needed on the offensive end to stare down New York’s tough defense and come out on top. Be careful what you wish for, Knicks fans.

The Brooklyn Nets have several edges over the Knicks.

The Knicks might have the game’s best defense in terms of points allowed, but the Knicks’ offense will get them into trouble against a team like Brooklyn. The Knicks are dead last in pace and 26th in points per game. If these games turn into shootouts, the Knicks could be in for a very rude awakening.

The Nets are one of the best teams in the game despite the fact that Durant hasn’t been available frequently and James Harden is working his way back from a hamstring injury. When both of those two rejoin Kyrie Irving, something the Knicks have not seen so far this season, things could get scary.

If the Nets are able to control the flow of the game and force the Knicks to score in order to keep space, Randle and RJ Barrett will be able to pile up the points, but who will New York’s third option be? Even if someone like Immanuel Quickley emerged as a scorer, is it really enough to compete with the likes of Irving or Harden?

The Knicks would be a tougher matchup for the Nets than most teams in the postseason given their hustle and tenacity, but a healthy Brooklyn Nets team would have an armada of scoring talent ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. New York is well ahead of schedule in their rebuild, but they could run into a black and white wall in the playoffs.