It’s been a while since the Brooklyn Nets last won the second leg of a back-to-back. Since beating the Cleveland Cavaliers within the first few games of the season, they’ve proceeded to lose the last six instances where they’ve had no days rest in between games.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson acknowledges that it’s a problem, and it’s one he’s hopeful the team can find a way to finally get over against the Orlando Magic.
“Hopefully we can deal with this back-to-back and be ready to go against Orlando. … Maybe it’s something we need to address,” coach Kenny Atkinson said per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
The Nets are coming off a close 108-105 defeat to the Boston Celtics on New Year’s Eve, which concludes their five-game road trip. They went just 1-4 during that trip and are only 2-8 in their last ten games.
Atkinson doesn’t have a lot of great options to choose from on the Nets, and that lack of depth has likely played a part in their back-to-back struggles.
However, it should be noted that all six of their back-to-back losses have come with the team going on the road. Perhaps being at home, which is where they’ll be against the Magic, can make enough of a difference to change the Nets' disastrous form during those situations.