Brooklyn Nets: 5 keys to making the 2019 NBA Playoffs

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 11: D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets wears a uniform matching arm sleeve during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on January 11, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images /

2. Play all 48 minutes

Sounds simple, right? Not for these Nets. Between all the comeback victories and blown leads, this team tends to be extremely streaky. The old adage of peaks and valleys is more akin to mountains and abysses in Brooklyn.

For a young team, that’s to be expected. Even game-to-game inconsistency plagues them; eight straight losses from late November to early December were countered immediately by seven straight wins.

The front office prepared for the ebbs and flows of an inexperienced team by adding low-cost veterans. Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier and Jared Dudley have all contributed positively, and as a result, the bench has a solid floor.

But that’s about it. The youngsters eating up possessions still have to be successful, and for the most part they have been. However, it’s been in spurts.

Consistently solid teams like the Miami Heat will hover around .500 all season, while Brooklyn could surpass and fall behind that round number throughout the home stretch.

A huge factor is correlated to how many bodies Atkinson deploys, which was already discussed. The better players play less, which exposes worse players to harm the team through important stretches of a game. Playing six backups does not supplement the lack of a good starter.

If the Nets can mediate the lows and stay consistent, they will make the playoffs.

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