Garrett Temple feels Nets’ culture is carrying the team

The Nets are on their longest winning streak of 2019-20. Garrett Temple explains why Brooklyn is thriving despite Kyrie Irving’s absence.

With the 103-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Brooklyn Nets have now won four games in a row. They’re in the midst of their longest winning streak of the season, despite the fact they’re without both Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert.

Now, some of the teams Brooklyn has faced during the stretch aren’t exactly among the elite in the NBA, but the Nets can’t simply show up and expect to win either.

More importantly, this stretch has presented multiple players with the chance to take on greater responsibilities. Spencer Dinwiddie and Jarrett Allen have seized the opportunity on the offensive end, but Brooklyn’s lifeblood has been their defense since Irving went down.

Chemistry, connectedness, however you want to put it, the Nets have found a way to work as one unit. Garrett Temple chose the term “culture” following Monday’s win.

We [are] building that culture. Defensively, we [are] just playing at a high level right now. It helps. Nic stepped up tonight. Had a big block or two, some good deflections. Everybody that has been able to step up with the injuries [has] done their part. Musa had a big game tonight off the bench for us. Guys are just playing. We’re getting into a rhythm on the defensive end, which allows us to get easy baskets offensively.