Early on in preseason, Steve Nash made it transparent that it could possibly glance “ugly” now and then together with his new gamers studying learn how to play with every different. It used to be “ugly” in opposition to the Heat Thursday evening.
The Nets seemed like a brand new group with little to no continuity. For the second one directly recreation, there used to be a surplus of woes at the defensive finish in addition to simply simple sloppiness on each ends. The 2d preseason recreation ended with a 29-point defeat to the Heat and it’s transparent Brooklyn will need to make use of those final two preseason games vs. the Bucks and Timberwolves to get issues directly earlier than the games begin to topic in lower than two weeks.
Moreover, there isn’t a larger participant at the Nets who wishes those final two preseason games greater than Ben Simmons. The former All-Star understandably had hassle timing his passes all the way through the competition — he’s new to the Nets staff and he hasn’t performed in additional than a 12 months. He coughed up six turnovers within the loss.
He additionally took on a pass-first technique all the way through the competition, perhaps even to an excessive, and ended with most effective 4 issues on 3 pictures in his 25 mins. Simmons used to be competitive at the forums, snagging 10 rebounds, however he used to be most effective ready to effectively dish 4 assists in his Thursday evening shift.
Kevin Durant manned a heavy scoring load in Brooklyn’s loss. The big name recorded 22 issues on an effective 8-of-12 capturing from the sphere and 1-of-4 capturing from 3-point vary (5-of-7 from the foul line) to overall 22 issues in his 26-minute appearing. Outside of Durant, there wasn’t a lot scoring. Markieff Morris had a powerful appearing with 10 issues and six forums in quarter-hour off the bench. At recreation’s finish, Cam Thomas does what Cam Thomas does, scoring in bunches to complete with 13 issues in 20 mins.
Brooklyn got here out of the gates with a night-and-day distinction defensively when in comparison to Monday. Indeed, they were given off to a excellent get started on each ends of the ground, sparked through a string of defensive performs through Simmons. In one, the Nets big name intercepted a move at the wing, taking it down the court docket for an uncontested slam. The Nets held the Heat scoreless from 3-point vary (0-of-3) during the first 5 mins of play, forging a 12-6 lead.
At the tail finish of the primary, the offense simmered down for each groups. Although Morris stored the Nets inside hanging distance — with 4 issues and a drawn fee with the second one unit — Simmons used to be passive, basically taking a look to slice passes to his teammates alongside the fringe and close to the basket. Miami totally expected the tactic, reducing off the passing lanes and forcing 3 fast turnovers, leaving him with out a unmarried lend a hand in his 10-minute stint within the first. At the tip of 1, Brooklyn trailed 25-18 with Durant main the Nets with a team-high 5 issues in 9 mins.
It were given unsightly in the second one. And the it, as soon as once more, stemmed from their defensive struggles. Miami’s 2d unit received the higher hand in opposition to a Nets lineup with each Durant and Simmons at the ground. The ball motion on Brooklyn’s finish merely couldn’t discover a waft, harm through the Heat’s effort to double-team Durant.
On the opposite finish, Miami picked aside the Nets at the protection, steadily capitalizing off Brooklyn miscues. The outdueling expanded Miami’s result in 15 halfway via the second one body. Brooklyn by no means may just put in combination blank sequences on both finish to search out momentum, hitting the halftime wreck trailing 61-43 — the biggest deficit of the primary part.
Both Simmons and Durant began for Brooklyn within the 3rd quarter. The Nets offense used to be all Durant however Miami maintained a 20-point lead, cashing in at the Nets general sloppiness that in the long run produced 26 turnovers to the Heat’s 11. The Heat ballooned their result in 30 issues and after the 3rd concluded, it used to be the tip of the evening for Brooklyn’s two stars.
A lineup of Thomas, Chris Chiozza, David Duke Jr., Yuta Watanabe, and Day’Ron Sharpe performed nearly all of the fourth. The younger lineup couldn’t crack a dent within the double-digit deficit when it used to be all mentioned and achieved.
Harris, Irving sit down
Joe Harris sat out the sport because the Nets need to be conservative in his restoration and rehab following two ankle surgical procedures. Kyrie Irving who welcomed his 2d kid on Wednesday used to be additionally rested. Both have been on the recreation as used to be Seth Curry who could also be getting better from ankle surgical operation. Steve Nash has mentioned they hope to convey Curry again through the Nets fourth and final preseason recreation vs. the Timberwolves. The 3 are the group’s very best 3-point shooters through share and with the Nets capturing 17.9 % from deep, 5-of-28, this night, they have been sorely ignored.
What’s subsequent
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The Nets will play the 3rd in their four-game preseason slate in opposition to the Bucks in Milwaukee on Wednesday, October 12. The preseason contest is scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m. ET.
For a special standpoint on Thursday’s preseason recreation in opposition to Miami, take a look at Hot Hot Hoops — our sister website online masking the Heat.