One interesting aspect of the NBA schedule that will affect the NBA schedule to reduce travel is that it will sometimes play two games in a row against the same team at the same venue.
The Nets have already done it once this year in back-to-back games against the Knicks at the Garden on the road, and after a heartbreaking loss at home two nights ago, they will once again face the Magic at Barclays Center on Sunday afternoon. will have an immediate opportunity to play against.
“They brought us a fight and as a result of that the loose ball fell into their hands and the 3s went down. We understand that and we hope to see them again on Sunday. I also understand that it's a blessing,” Nets forward Cam Johnson said after Orlando's 123-100 win. “We have to attack them, we have to set screens and have confidence in it.
“We need to get through it and come back with the mindset that we have to look at this game and compete.”
The depleted Nets (9-11) were without rotation players including leading scorer Cam Thomas (hamstring) and Dennis Schroder (personal reasons). But first-year coach Jordi Fernandez's team also committed 20 turnovers (leading to 34 points for Orlando), giving them three points on their return to Brooklyn after an encouraging 3-1 road trip. Only 29 shots were attempted.
“Certainly, especially when your team wins like that, you want to see it again,” Jalen Wilson said. “We may not see them for a few weeks or even a month. Fortunately, we can see them within a day or two.
“So it's good to see them again and know what we did wrong and fix it and just play our game. … We corrected what we did wrong and It has to be fixed.”
Thomas, who averages 24.7 points per game, was injured in Monday's game against Golden State and is expected to miss three to four weeks. Coach Johnson noted that the absence of the versatile Schroder was “huge.”
“The energy he brings to the game, what he can do, how he can play. He's an important part of what we do,” Johnson said. “There wasn’t a huge difference today across the scoreboard, across the scoresheet. If you look at field goals, field goal attempts, rebounds, 3-point shots, 3-point attempts, they had an advantage in every category. He was standing.
“So, what's 34 points if you close with 20 turnovers?” That's 20 points. [swing] It's right there. So there's something we can clean. But I think the basis of what we're doing remains the same and it's where it should be. We just need to clean up the rest and continue competing. ”
Led by Franz Wagner's 29 points, the Magic improved to 14-7 overall despite All-Star big man Paolo Banchero missing since late October with a torn oblique muscle. Ta.
Still, Friday's game marked the Nets' sixth different starting lineup in a game thus far, including guard Tyrese Martin's first NBA start. And veteran reserve Shake Milton came off the bench to score a season-high 22 points in 34 minutes.
“It's a 'next person' mentality,” Johnson said. “Everyone knows who we are and what we want to be. Like all the players, the coaches believe in all of our players. A lot of teams now… I've been through a lot, but that's part of being in this business.
“Everyone who played [Friday night] I stepped up and competed. As a group, we have to go the extra mile and connect a little more. ”
