NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets (23-49) were hoping to wash off the disappointment of their 3-game road trip that saw them lose every game that they played, including some very winnable games in Indiana. With Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks (35-37) coming to town, Brooklyn had an opportunity to end their losing streak, but it looks like they forgot to show up.
The Nets lost to the Mavericks 120-101 in a game in which it looked like Brooklyn never recovered from their slow start that saw them trail by 15 points in a hurry. Nic Claxton had 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists for one of his best performances of the season while Cam Johnson continued to be a steady presence for Brooklyn with his 17 points and eight assists.
From the beginning, it looked like the Nets did not show up to play on either end of the floor as they had trouble running their offense while also being unable to stay in front of anybody over the course of the game. Here are the Nets player grades following Monday’s loss to the Mavericks:
Tyrese Martin: C
Martin drew another start with D’Angelo Russell unable to take the floor, but he wasn’t able to do much during his time on the court. Martin didn’t have much going on the floor for him as he couldn’t get anything to fall from three-point land or at the rim.Martin did a decent job with rebounding, but that was about it for his contributions in this one.
Keon Johnson: C-
Johnson continued starting in the place of Cam Thomas and he had a solid, all-around performance even if there was nothing spectacular about it for the most part. Johnson did a good job of scoring the ball as he was able to get to the rim and work some of his mid-range game as well. Johnson did a good job of rebounding and passing the ball as the off-ball guard.
Cam Johnson: C+
Jonson was again a steady presence for the Nets on the offensive end as he took what the defense gave him and was still efficient despite not getting anything to fall from three-point land. Johnson’s long-range shooting has been inconsistent since coming out of the All-Star Break, but he has done a good job of attacking the rim when his three-pointer isn’t falling. Johnson has had better days taking care of the basketball.
Ziaire Williams: C
Williams was able to return to the lineup after missing just one game due to right hamstring tightness and he played about as expected on both ends of the floor. Williams continued his solid shooting from three-point land as he looks like he has figured when to take his shots and what spots he likes on the floor. Williams’ defense has been better than what he showed in this one, however.
Nic Claxton: B+
Claxton did a great job of being aggressive against the Mavericks as he tried to take advantage of his matchups against Kai Jones and PJ Washington when getting those guys in the post. The Nets do not run much offense through Claxton, but he showed that there are ways for him to get the ball, especially in the pick-and-roll. Claxton was solid on the boards and passing the ball, but his rim protection left a lot to be desired.
Trendon Watford: B
Watford was solid once again coming off the bench as he was able to win most of his matchups going to the rim given his ability to contort his body in ways that allow him to slip by defenders. Watford did not shoot particularly well from three-point land, but that doesn’t matter as much when he is able to make things happen off the dribble, whether that be for himself or his teammates.
Jalen Wilson: C+
Wilson had a solid outing off the bench as he was able to get to the rim on a few possessions with the ball in his hands against a variety of defenders. Wilson is usually unable to get by his man and get to the basket unless he gets a screen or some kind of head start, but he proved that wrong in this one as he has found clever ways to get to the basket.
Maxwell Lewis: C+
Lewis couldn’t miss on the offensive end as he constantly found ways to get to his spots on the floor, which seems to grow by the game. One thing that Lewis has proven since being a part of the rotation is that he’s comfortable shooting the ball from multiple spots on the floor and that allows him to be more of an unpredictable offensive player for opposing defenses to guard.
Noah Clowney: C+
Clowney was not particularly involved on the offensive end of the floor as the Mavericks looked like they were trying to prevent him from getting comfortable from three-point land. As Nets fans know by now, Clowney mostly shoots the ball from deep, but his willingness to put the ball on the floor and attempt to drive to the basket is encouraging for his growth as an offensive player.
Day’Ron Sharpe: A
Sharpe did a little bit of everything coming off the bench for the Nets as he couldn’t miss at the basket while also being able to carve out space on almost every one of his touches. Sharpe did his usual work on the glass, but he also did a great job of passing the ball and having active hands in the passing lanes as well.
