Brooklyn is ready to keep competing for a shot at the Play-In Tournament. The upcoming stretch has games they should be competitive in, and Coach Kevin Ollie wants them to take care of business by getting more wins.
After losing to the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies, the Nets must not be complacent for the rest of the season. The upcoming game against the Detroit Pistons is a good barometer for this, as the Nets need every win they can get.
“We have the recipe to win games, no matter who's in the game. This is the fourth quarter of our season, so we have to challenge each other. We can't let no games slip, and we gotta take care of business,” Coach Ollie said after the win against Philadelphia.
Ollie is setting the team up for success
After enduring a rocky start after the All-Star break, the Nets are finding their stride under Coach Ollie. He has them playing with more energy and hustling for every ball. However, that is not consistent enough for the fans to like because there are games when Brooklyn looks lethargic, even when the team has days to rest.
That is inexcusable for the rest of the season, especially when Ollie explicitly said he wants “hunters” on his team. To do that, the Nets must play with energy and unmatched hustle. Thankfully, players like Dennis Smith Jr. and Dorian Finney-Smith have become vocal leaders who hold their teammates accountable.
The Nets have one of the easiest schedules left
Based on the remaining strength of the schedule, the numbers show that Brooklyn has the second-easiest schedule out of any team. That means Brooklyn is playing against weaker opponents than the other teams, as the Nets play against the bottom-dwellers like the Pistons, Wizards, and Hornets.
It is helpful for the Nets, but they should win more games than usual. They should keep delivering good performances and taking care of business for the rest of the season. It will be challenging to remain consistent, but it’s vital in a race for a Play-In Tournament spot.
Brooklyn has the talent to do it, but they should be strong mentally, given other teams are hoping for them to slip up and miss the race in the Play-In Tournament.
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