ATLANTA — The Nets have used the same starting five of their last 4 games. But with bursts of 18 and 44 points in the last two on the road, it stays to be seen whether coach Jacque Vaughn will make any adjustments to the lineup on Sunday at the Hawks.
Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges have began every game since Johnson and Bridges appeared in Kevin Durant’s trade. But that starting lineup combined just 34 points on Friday in Chicago after shooting 12-for-42.
The Nets have scored 87 points and lost 50 this season. Clearly something has to change.
Cam Thomas was considered one of the team’s few vivid spots, scoring 22 points for the team and hitting 3-for-6 from the depths despite being relegated to the bench.
It was the young guard’s sixth appearance with 20 points since January 30 against Los Angeles, after only having two before. Over 10 games, he averages 25.6 points on 0.488/0.464/0.895 great shots.
Thomas’s name was actually the first to come out of the mouth of Hawks interim head coach Joe Prunty when discussing the Nets on Saturday.
“Yes definitely [they’re different]said Prunty, referring to Durant and Kyrie Irving’s competition. “I believe when people take a look at them, they’ll take a look at them they usually won’t see, quote, ‘names.’ They’re a dangerous and really talented team. Numerous guys who can get the ball.
“So Cam Thomas, people won’t even know who he was but he goes and gets 40, 40, 40 [in consecutive games]. Michal Bridges just played a game just a few games ago 40. So no, this team is [talented]”.
In his second appearance after a five-game absence due to an adductor injury, Seth Curry scored 19 points from the bench on 8-for-11 shooting against the Bulls, all in the fourth quarter.
Ben Simmons (left knee soreness), David Duke Jr. (G-League, two-way) and Dru Smith (G-League, two-way) won’t play in Atlanta.
The Nets game on March 9 in Milwaukee will not be televised by TNT and the tip has been modified to 8:00 p.m. He was replaced by the Knicks for the Sacramento Kings.
South Sudan, with Nets assistant Royal Ivey as head coach, qualified for the FIBA World Cup this summer in Southeast Asia. They’re the youngest nation in the world and the first African team to qualify at the first attempt.
“And even higher news is our assistant coach Royal Ivey from South Sudan. Are you joking? Qualified. He put in the work and an ideal team behind him,” said Vaughn. “I’m so enthusiastic about it. I may have to make my way, regardless of what region he’s in, and look to him as a head coach.
Atlanta’s great man John Collins remained on concussion protocol and was doubtful after last Wednesday’s in-game collision.