Brooklyn Nets: 3 takeaways from Game 3 loss vs. 76ers
1. Their defense needs some work
Simmons, Redick and Harris combined to shoot 29-of-49 while putting up 86 of Philly’s 131 points. That didn’t even include an average-at-best game from Jimmy Butler on the offensive end with just 16 points.
The Nets currently own the league-worst defensive rating of 120.8 in the playoffs, a far cry from when they were tied with the 76ers during the regular season at a mark of 108.9. Having to play the 76ers every night will hurt, but they still need to step things up.
The Nets forced more turnovers than they had at a margin of 16-to-15 in Game 3, but they were more unforced errors on the part of Philadelphia than they were plays that they made. They totaled just six steals in the game despite often running with a number of long players in the lineup.
They’re giving up far too many open runs to the rim, and they don’t have the elite shot blocker to account for that given Jarrett Allen’s struggles with just 0.7 blocks per game in the playoffs.
Next. Philadelphia 76ers: 3 takeaways from blowout Game 3 vs. Nets. dark
If Brooklyn’s offense isn’t hitting shots, its defense has to help carry the load. However, the team just hasn’t been able to do that the last two games in the series. One particular player that they have trouble guarding is Simmons. When he is wanting to be aggressive and attacking, his combination of size and speed make him tough to slow down for anyone.