The Nets lost only one of their last four games this past week, adjusting well to interim head coach Kevin Ollie. The Nets fired former head coach Jacque Vaughn during the All-Star break after a devastating Nets performance on Feb. 14th after losing 50 points to the Boston Celtics. The Nets had a rough return to play with more losses but picked up a couple of wins this past week to get back in their groove. With these wins, the Nets are now 24-36 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
Nets Break Losing Streak Against Memphis
The Nets took care of the Memphis Grizzlies in a 111-86 victory on Monday to break their four-game losing streak. The Nets allowed only 18 points in the first quarter as they blazed through with 30 points. They continued to dominate the first half, scoring 36 points in the second quarter, and played well defensively. The Nets led by as much as 27 points and headed into halftime with a 66-40 lead. The Nets looked energized and composed and made quick work of the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies struggled on offense as they scored their lowest point total for the season, shooting 38.7% from the field. Monday’s win over the Grizzlies was Ollie’s first win as an NBA coach, with the Nets players celebrating with Ollie as they doused him with water.
For the Nets, Dennis Schroder had 18 points and five assists and Cam Thomas finished with 14 points and five assists. Dorian Finney-Smith added 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had 15 points, four rebounds, and two steals for the Grizzlies. Off the bench, Lamar Stevens had 17 points and six rebounds.
Final numbers from the W 📊 pic.twitter.com/O2LwyfPrnP
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 27, 2024
Magic Cruise Past Nets as Bridges Has Tough Night
The Nets lost a tough 108-81 matchup to the Orlando Magic in a stinker of a performance for Bridges. Scoring only four points on Tuesday night made it the lowest-scoring performance for Bridges for the season. Bridges only made two out of 13 field goals for the night and was 0-of-7 from the three-point line. The Magic, even without their star player in Paolo Banchero, were able to grab the win and take advantage of the awful offensive performance by the Nets. The Nets shot 39.2% from the field and had 22 turnovers for the night.
On the other hand, the Magic had nearly as many turnovers with 17 but compromised with a higher scoring percentage for the night with 52.7%. This win for the Magic increased their momentum as the win over the Nets made it their fourth win in five games. For the Nets, it added another loss to their column in a tough rebuilding season.
Schroder had 15 points for the Nets, while Claxton had 10 points and five rebounds. Off the bench, TJ Watford finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
For the Magic, Franz Wagner led the way with 21 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Moritz Wagner scored 16 points and five rebounds off the bench, while Markelle Fultz scored 12 points.
.@trendonw on the attack pic.twitter.com/D6m6hOzW7o
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 28, 2024
Nets Grab A Must-Win Over the Hawks
The Nets bounced back in a 124-97 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the first of their two-game series on Friday night. The Hawks were without their star player, Trae Young, who was out due to recovering from a hand injury. The Nets started hot with a 34-16 after one quarter, led by Johnson and Bridges, scoring in double-digits in that first quarter. While the Hawks were able to crawl back and trail by six points heading into halftime, the Nets continued to play their brand of basketball and outplay the Hawks.
Brooklyn was able to find their rhythm and stick to it, creating and capitalizing on their scoring opportunities. Johnson was able to capitalize the most with his performance, with 29 points and shooting seven three-pointers for the night. The Nets continued their momentum until the final buzzer and grabbed a much-needed win.
Schroder had 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists and Bridges had 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
For the Hawks, Dejounte Murray had 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Jalen Johnson had 14 points and five rebounds, and Bogdan Bogdanovic had 11 points.
Final numbers from the W 📊 pic.twitter.com/I1dGGd7NC3
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2024
Nets Comeback to Take Care of Hawks
The Nets swept the two-game home series after a 114-102 win over the Hawks. The Nets started rough, trailing throughout the first half, but kept it close and avoided the game becoming a blowout. The Nets kept themselves alive in the second quarter with eight three-pointers without a miss, which tied a franchise record. The Nets trailed by only two points at halftime, but in the second half, they took control of the game and got themselves a lead to hold on to. The Nets were also able to limit the Hawks to only 40 points and had the Hawks give up 13 points off turnovers in the second half. With the much-needed win, the Nets moved to 3-3 under Ollie's coaching.
Bridges led Brooklyn with 38 points and Johnson added 23 points and five rebounds. Schroder finished with 14 points and eight assists, while Claxton had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
For the Hawks, Saddiq Bey had 24 points, and Murray had a double-double with 20 points and 11 assists, along with two steals.
Final numbers from the W 📊 pic.twitter.com/JM3HisuqDh
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 2, 2024
What’s Next for the Nets?
The Nets are now trying to dig themselves out of a hole as the season moves towards the playoffs. With the Nets just behind the Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings, their much-needed wins over them were very needed. Each game for the Nets is a must-win for them if they want a spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Nets won’t win every game, but if they can go on a few game-winning streaks throughout the week, they could squeeze in a spot and become a dark horse in this season’s playoffs.
Despite the awful performance against the Magic, Mikal Bridges’ has been the most important offensive asset this season for the Nets, especially this next month. Kevin Ollie has been a valuable addition for the Nets, even with their tough week back from the All-Star break. If Bridges, Cam Johnson, and a few other key players like Dennis Schroder and Cam Thomas can dish out consistent offensive and defensive performances, the likelihood of the Nets getting a play-in spot is pretty high.
