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Pretenders to Contenders: What’s behind the Nets staggering 180?

By Rob Greene

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his buzzer beater game winning shot with Kevin Durant #7 and Yuta Watanabe #18 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 16, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 16: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets celebrates his buzzer beater game winning shot with Kevin Durant #7 and Yuta Watanabe #18 against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on December 16, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, 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 Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn Nets /

The numbers don’t lie, the Nets are scary-good

With an 18-2 record since Nov. 27, the Nets have the league’s best offensive rating, climbing up to fourth at the season’s midway point with one of the most points per game. They are incredibly efficient on the shooting side of things, led by two of the game’s most authentic artists and purists to ever play.

The team’s biggest challenge for a long time has been the easily-doubted Brooklyn defense, which has stood out the most. Over the last 15 games, besides leading the league in PPG, they have the sixth-best defensive rating as they are ranked fifth in opponents’ PPG, going 14-1.

Some have questioned his growth coming into the season, but Nic Claxton’s Defensive Player of the Year odds have been skyrocketing. The 23-year-old is now atop the league in blocks per game after averaging at least four in his last five outings. Claxton has put up 11.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.6 rejections on an NBA-leading 73.8 percent shooting from the field.

Claxton, now a premiere defender that can guard multiple positions, holds one of the best defensive ratings amongst centers and is within the top 10 of that category for all positions and players. Also, Claxton is second in the league in point percentage in the paint at 89.2% while being above many at the position in rebounding percentage as well.

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