The Nets pride themselves on being a deep team. But their bench got roughed up in Wednesday’s opening loss to the Timberwolves.
Five reserves finished an aggregate minus-63 in the 127-126 overtime defeat, while Minnesota’s bench was a plus-55. And when Kyrie Irving went out in the first half, the Nets immediately allowed a 25-9 run.
That’s a trend they will need to turn around Friday versus the Knicks.
“We can’t play [Irving] 48 minutes. Our bench is going to have to pick it up. If you take the Toronto game [the final preseason contest] that’s two games in a row,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “That’s also me figuring out what that unit looks like, how we stagger the minutes and how we can balance it. I think that second unit’s going to be really good; they haven’t grabbed their identity yet.”
Rodions Kurucs was scoreless and a game-worst minus-16. Spencer Dinwiddie had 14 points on 6 of 13 shooting, but had five costly turnovers, several on lob attempts to DeAndre Jordan.
“Oh, I just had too many turnovers. I shot the ball all right. I had too many turnovers. As a whole unit, we’ve got to get more stops,” Dinwiddie said. “Personally, my timing is off [on the lobs]. So, I’ve got to do better as a passer and get guys involved and throw better passes. I’m my biggest critic. I’ve got to do better. Whenever I make a mistake or miss a shot, I get frustrated with myself.
“[Jordan] has a different cadence than anybody I’ve played with, and it’s on me to tap into that cadence. As a passer and as a point guard, you have to be a guy that’s malleable for different situations and make it easy on your guys. I haven’t done a good job of that, or I didn’t do a good job of that in the first game.”
Jordan had just
in 16¹/₂ largely ineffective minutes. But against Knicks big men Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson (who is questionable with ankle and finger injuries), Atkinson said the Nets will need Jordan’s size and strength Friday.
Taurean Prince averaged just 3.3 career rebounds as a small forward, but now that he is starting at power forward, the Nets need him to improve his boardwork. He responded Wednesday with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the opening loss, his first double-double in two years.
“Most definitely, having that defensive mindset first and rebounding and being that guy that does little things is big. I think that brings a lot of value to the team,” Prince said. “I know I’m going to get the shots. I know the points will figure out themselves. But doing those things make you a complete player and that’s what I’m trying to be.”
Nets ticket-sales revenue is up 72 percent from this time last year.
