The Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 126-98, which is the team’s biggest win of the season and the first time they’ve won two in a row, shedding more light on how miserable this season has been. Jeremy Lin returned after missing a game with a sprained ankle.
This was a game that was owned by the bench. The Nets lineup scored just 40 points, while six bench players finished in double figures. K.J. McDaniels had 16 points, Trevor Booker scored 14 while Archie Goodwin and Quincy Acy each scored 12 points. The Suns started the youngest lineup in the history of the NBA, showing they have a possible bright future, but they’re only at 22 wins this season, which means they have a long way to go before being a force to be reckoned with in the West.
The same can be said for the Nets, although without the abundance of young prospects. The Nets picked up their 15th win this season, and although they still have 11 games to go, it’ll be a surprise if they finish with more wins than last season. Not that it would show any kind of progress for a team that will start next season with the same doubts about their direction and go to guys next season. Jeremy Lin, Brook Lopez (although the Nets will try to see what the market is offering for him once more), Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (maybe found his spot in this league after a rough season), possibly Sean Kilpatrick. The rest is up in the air.
Lin finished with 13 points in 21 minutes, adding 5 assists. His shot wasn’t as smooth as before, but he did look aggressive and easily got into the paint and to the line (6-for-7). Things might not be as easy for him and the Nets, facing the Washington Wizards in DC. It is a back-to-back which is another issue, although the Nets don’t have to travel far and their game against the Suns didn’t really take out too much from them. They’ve given up 115.3 points per game this season vs Washington, twice keeping it close (including one overtime). It would be nice if they could put a dent in the Wizards’ playoff run, to surprise me and others by showing that there is some sort of positive direction this team is headed in.