Brooklyn is prepared to add reinforcements as the Nets attempt to turn things around.
The sagging The Brooklyn Nets are expecting to receive much-needed reinforcements before of their game against the Denver Nuggets on Friday. After missing the previous seven games due to an upper back strain, the Nets listed guard Dennis Smith Jr. as probable vs. Denver.
Smith was among Brooklyn’s most effective players during wins over the Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks before missing six games from Nov. 19-30 due to a lower back sprain. During the two wins, the minimum signing averaged 11.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals on 53 percent shooting.
His tenacious point-of-attack defense provided a significant boost for a Brooklyn unit that has performed well below expectations this season.
The Nets rank 25th in defensive rating during their recent 1-5 stretch, allowing 123 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting from the field.
Brooklyn’s hustle, where Smith Jr. has made a livelihood over the last two seasons, has left something to be desired. The Nets’ transition defense ranks 29th, allowing 19.0 fastbreak points per game. They have the lowest defensive rebounding % and the 23rd most turnovers forced. They’ve also given up the seventh-most open threes in the NBA, enabling opponents to shoot 43.3 percent from long, the greatest number in the league.
Smith Jr.’s energy should help a Nets bench that is already missing Lonnie Walker IV as the club attempts to defeat the reigning champions before facing the Detroit Pistons in back-to-back games.
Walker is still out against Denver due to a left hamstring issue that has kept him out for the last nine games. According to the organization, he is anticipated to return to the lineup next week after progressing to 5-on-5 play over the following several days.
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Denver Nuggets: Head coach Michael Malone is aware of Scottie Barnes’ Burgeoning Stardom
NEW DELHI: In a game where Nikola Jokic orchestrated a seemingly routine yet remarkable play, even the Denver Nuggets head coach, Michael Malone, struggled to single out a particular highlight from the Serbian center’s performance.
However, Malone’s attention was unmistakably drawn to the Toronto Raptors‘ rookie sensation, Scottie Barnes, who displayed flashes of Jokic-like specialness in their recent matchup, a 113-104 victory for the Nuggets.Jokic’s wizardry was on full display as he executed an unconventional pass off the backboard, seamlessly setting up Aaron Gordon, who found Michael Porter Jr. for a corner three. Yet, Malone, typically hard to impress, directed praise toward Barnes post-game, acknowledging the young forward’s impact on the court.
“Scottie Barnes is a hell of a player,” Malone commended. “He was just putting his head down, putting a lot of pressure on our defense in transition, make, miss, turnover.”Drawing parallels between Barnes and Jokic, Malone highlighted the rare combination of size and passing ability that sets both players apart in the league. While Barnes refused to entertain direct comparisons, citing differences in playing style and physique, his admiration for Jokic’s game was evident.
“He just draws so much attention where they’ve got shooters everywhere,” Barnes noted about Jokic. “He’s either spreading it out to shooters or he’s got a low dunker man, or he can just take it all the way to the basket.”
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