After Monday’s atrocious loss, the Nets are playing clean up.
In what was their first game without veteran leader and point guard Dennis Schroder, who was traded Sunday to the Warriors in what looks like a front-office tanking decision, the Nets crumbled against the Cavaliers and ex-Nets coach Kenny Atkinson in a 130-101 loss at Barclays Center.
In exchange for Schroder, they received De’Anthony Melton, who is sidelined the rest of the season following Dec. 4 surgery to repair a partially torn ACL; rookie Reece Beekman; three second-round picks; and a whole new style of basketball.
“We’re trying to flush that game, learn from it, but, you know, we’re trying to win tomorrow,” Dorian Finney-Smith said following practice Wednesday. “Coaches have been telling us what we need to work on, especially defensively. We got to start doing a better job defensively, keeping guys out of the middle of the paint and try to get a win tomorrow.”
After committing 22 turnovers (which Cleveland turned into 34 points), gifting the Cavaliers 29 free-throw attempts, and allowing 24 second-chance points, the immediate holes appeared to be the possession game and pace.
Those were the two points of focus for head coach Jordi Fernandez in helping his team adjust.
