Because the season’s canine days proceed, the Spurs have one other tune-up recreation on Wednesday in opposition to the Nets, who’ve misplaced 4 in a row.
The Nets could have a horrible document (21-39) however are well-coached. They common 79 p.c of their offense within the half-court. The principle focus of the protection might be stopping the perimeter assault, which is ready up by dribble handoffs, display rolls, and the drive-and-kick recreation. Remember that the Nets common the fifth-most drives to the paint within the NBA but rating the fifth-fewest paint factors.
Their weak outdoors taking pictures ought to give the Spurs a break, permitting prolonged time in a 2-3 zone, but when the hosts aren’t sharp, the night may flip right into a catastrophe. On prime of that, one of many priorities for the protection must be pressuring them right into a excessive turnover depend and consecutive missed layups so San Antonio can reap the benefits of their transition protection.
Moreover, containing D’Angelo Russell on the dribble is one other level of emphasis. He’s a display service provider who likes to drag up for a jumper, and most of his makes an attempt are 3-pointers. The opposite dribbler to verify carefully is Trendon Watford, who will in all probability be a mismatch as a result of he’s 6’9 and highly effective.
The Spurs will in all probability entice off-ball snipers like Cam Johnson when coming off the display. However the entrance line is ultra-thin giving extra time to Bismack Biyombo and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
On the opposite facet, the Nets are a top-seven protection since Feb. 1, permitting solely 111.7 factors per 100 possessions, per Cleansing the Glass. Since then, in addition they recuperate to the corners rapidly after serving to, allowing 35.3 p.c of makes an attempt to fall.
De’Aaron Fox might be trusted to interrupt Brooklyn’s assertive coverages. It received’t be straightforward as a result of he’ll see plenty of assist protection since Biyombo received’t be guarded tightly. But, his velocity is the perfect counter to the size the Nets will deploy in pick-and-roll protection. After he begins cooking them going downhill, somebody might want to step up as an out of doors shooter as a result of his curler received’t be an element except it’s Jeremy Sochan.
Utilizing Fox as a cutter in display rolls with Chris Paul because the playmaker could be supreme, too, since they will’t double him with out the ball. However the subsequent essential participant is Keldon Johnson, partly due to his maneuverability and power. He averages 18.8 factors on a 56.8 efficient area purpose proportion in his profession in opposition to the Nets.
Devin Vassell is caught in a chilly streak, making 29 pictures in his final 76 makes an attempt. Snapping out of it in opposition to the Nets would additionally give the Spurs a decisive benefit.
Brooklyn Nets at San Antonio Spurs
March 4, 2025/ 7:30 CT
Watch: KENS5
Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs injures: Charles Bassey — out (left knee: acute-on-chronic bone bruise); Stephon Fort — questionable (left thumb sprain); Riley Minix — out (G League/two-way); Victor Wembanyama — out (proper shoulder: deep vein thrombosis)
Nets accidents: Kendall Brown — out (G League/two-way); Noah Clowney — out (left ankle sprain); Tosan Evbuomwan — out (G League/two-way); De’Anthony Melton — out (left ACL tear)
