The Brooklyn Nets (7-18) had been knocked off-balance by the Dallas Mavericks on Friday as they couldn’t make the plays they normally make in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn had the chance to start a new winning streak with a home matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks (11-16) despite the fact that head coach Jordi Fernandez was unavailable for the game due to an illness.
The Nets beat the Bucks 127-82 in what was a complete game on both ends of the floor by a Nets team that took advantage of a Milwaukee team missing forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Rookie guard Egor Demin led the way for Brooklyn with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists while forward Noah Clowney had 16 points and three rebounds.
The Bucks got a solid game out of guard Gary Trent Jr. as he had 20 points and two rebounds, but Milwaukee shot just 39.0% from the field as a team, showing that they just didn’t have anything going for them. The Nets made up for the loss to the Bucks earlier in the season and with that being said, here are Brooklyn’s player grades following Sunday’s win:
Egor Demin: A
Demin did a good job of scoring the ball in this one as he picked his spots on the floor and found his opportunities within the structure of the Nets’ offense. Demin had some issues holding on to the ball against a Milwaukee defense that took their chances pressuring his dribble, but he will have more time to tighten up his handle and be better against opposing defenses.
Terance Mann: B+
Mann was efficient with his touches on the offensive end of the floor and like Demin, he picked his spots and didn’t do more than the offense is asking him to do. Mann, like he has done all season, did a good job of providing an all-around value as he rebounded the ball well, made some effective passes, and he was tenacious on the defensive end as well.
Michael Porter Jr.: C+
This was one of Porter’s worst game of the season as he couldn’t find his shooting touch that had carried him for much of the season, potentially to an All-Star bid. While Porter struggled with his shooting, he did a good job of rebounding and passing the game, even though some of his decisions were worse than what he normally does on the floor.
Noah Clowney: B
Clowney had a solid outing against a Bucks defense that can give up some points on the defensive end, especially without Giannis Antetokounmpo being available. Clowney did most of his damage from behind the three-point line, but he also took his time driving to the basket, leading to free-throws. Clowney is usually better in the rebounding phase of the game, but he should bounce back in that regard moving forward.
Nic Claxton: C+
Claxton had a tough matchup heading into this one given that he would be going up against Myles Turner, but Claxton seemed to get his without having to worry much about getting his shot blocked. Claxton did a good job of attacking the rim whenever the ball came his way and he made some nice passes as he grows more comfortable with the ball in his hands.
Ziaire Williams: B+
Williams did a good job of scoring the ball overall as he had success shooting from behind the three-point line and getting out in transition for some easy buckets. Williams appeared to be locked in on both ends of the floor as he didn’t make many mistakes with the ball in his hands and he used his length and athleticism to bother Milwaukee’s perimeter players.
Danny Wolf: C
Wolf struggled shooting the ball against the Bucks as he shot 0-for-7 from three-point land, but his activity on both ends of the floor was more important to see from the young rookie. Wolf rebounded the ball well and he made some nice decisions with the ball in his hands as Brooklyn went on to win this game without the result ever being in doubt because of the complete team effort.
Day’Ron Sharpe: A
Sharpe had one of his better games of the season as he did a great job of finishing at the rim, despite having to try to score over Jericho Sims and Bobby Portis during his minutes on the floor. Sharpe did a great job of rebounding the basketball and more than that, Sharpe did a wonderful job of passing the ball, essentially showing that he can make good decisions with the ball as well.
Tyrese Martin: B+
Martin had one of his best shooting games of the season as he couldn’t miss from three-point land, including some shots that looked like he was taking his range as far as it could go. Martin also fulfilled his role of being one of the backup ball-handlers on the roster that doesn’t turn the ball over and he played some solid defense against a Bucks team with some scorers.
Drake Powell: B-
Powell didn’t see his usual amount of minutes in Friday’s loss at the Mavericks due to not being ready to go from the start, but that was the opposite of what he did against the Bucks. Powell had a solid offensive game as he shot the ball well and he made some nice passes to his teammates, even in the face of pressure. Powell should be able to regain his usual spot in the rotation if he continues playing this way.