The Brooklyn Nets closed out their pre-All-Star break slate of games the right way, winning their last two games against playoff teams. But there was more to the challenge than that.
Brooklyn beat the Pacers in Indiana. The Nets hadn’t knocked them off all season, despite having two attempts previously. Furthermore, it was Brooklyn’s first win on the road against a team over .500.
Not to mention, the win against the Pacers came on the heels of a one-point loss to the Toronto Raptors — who the Nets then beat on Wednesday by 10 points. And while this was a bounceback win for the Nets, in a way, as well, Brooklyn also ended Toronto’s longest winning streak in franchise history.
So how did it all come together?
Well, part of it has to do we the team finding it’s identity.
What also helps: Kenny Atkinson’s understanding of this group has become greater by the day. As he told reporters following Wednesday’s win, he has started to get a firm grasp of what this team is about:
Listen, I’m starting to discover this team. I know it’s the All-Star break and, ‘well, coach, you should know your team. It’s not that easy. … I’m starting to get to know these guys better. That’s why I think the longer we work together, the better we’re gonna get. The more continuity we have, the better we’re gonna get. The talent is there.
All of this should help the Nets build off their strong ending to the pre-All-Star break slate of games as they start building their resume heading into the postseason.