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Throughout Game 6 of their series against the Milwaukee Bucks, the one constant for the Nets was that they could not keep pace. In Game 7, you can definitely expect a different showing from them. Even though Kevin Durant posted 32 points and 11 rebounds, it was not enough to stop the Milwaukee Bucks’ offensive onslaught and their scrappy defensive efforts.
Come tomorrow night, the Nets will once again have home court advantage and with that will come a different showing from this deep and dangerous squad.
With the Nets determined to send the Bucks home and advance to the eastern conference finals, let’s take a deep dive into two adjustments they must make to beat the Bucks in Game 7.
Insert DeAndre Jordan Back Into The Nets Rotation
Their biggest flaw in this series for the Nets by far has been rebounding and size in their frontcourt. With Jordan out of the line up for them, they lose the ability to counter the Bucks’ size, strength, and athleticism down low. Inserting Jordan into the rotation for Game 7 would be very impactful for them on both ends.
His length, rebounding, and shot blocking abilities are something the Brooklyn Nets desperately need right now, given that they’ve been getting pummeled in the paint all series long by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez.
Jordan would be a big body that could provide them with great rim protection, get them some put-back dunks, and be a lob threat on fast breaks. Jordan would also give them a better chance on 50/50 balls, and provide them with a strong counter to the Bucks’ dominant low post presence and rebounding. Inserting DeAndre Jordan back into the Nets rotation Saturday night is definitely something head coach Steve Nash should consider if they want to limit the Bucks’ competitive advantage on the glass.
Run More Small-Ball Lineups
The biggest advantage for the Nets is that they’re more efficient when they play with speed and precision. They don’t want to get bogged down in halfcourt situations, and since James Harden is not 100-percent healthy, getting him into open-court situations means he won’t have to take his man one-on-one off the dribble. Putting Durant at center would allow them to move at a faster pace and give them plenty of scoring options down low.
This would be an absolute killer for the Nets given all the 3-point shooters they possess on their roster. Plus putting Blake Griffin at power forward would give them a couple versatile playmakers down low who can space the floor for their shooters and run the Bucks right out of the game.
This might be a risky move, but with Harden running the point, they’ll have a solid security blanket. Also factor in that the ball movement and ball handling of this Nets team will wear down the Bucks as the game goes on. This provides them with another option when they decide to rest their centers and it is a move that Durant and Nash became very familiar with during their time in Golden State.
While on the Warriors, Durant spent a lot of time at the center spot when they decided to run the “death lineup” which was impossible for defenses to stop.
It is a style of play the Nets could implement in Game 7 to give them a competitive edge. Plus they have the personnel to make it this happen, so come Saturday night why not give it a go?