Inside The Nets

The biggest takeaways from the Nets' disappointing loss to the Jazz

The Brooklyn Nets fell back to .500 with a 13-13 record after losing to Utah.

Peter Sunjic

© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
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In what was supposed to be a bounce-back game for the Nets, they lost to the Utah Jazz 108-125, powered by amazing performances from Collin Sexton, Talen Horton-Tucker, and Lauri Markkanen. This was surprising because most people saw this as a golden opportunity for Brooklyn to end the trip on a high note.

Now, Brooklyn has a 13-13 record, a far cry from the 12-9 tally before this five-game road trip. They secured just one victory in their last five games, notably against the Phoenix Suns, while the majority of their defeats came with double-digit margins.

Cam Thomas is a bright spot

Despite four losses on this trip, Cameron Thomas is ready to embrace the go-to scorer role again. Filling in for a struggling Mikal Bridges, Cam averaged 26 points on this West Coast adventure, reminiscent of his performances earlier this season.

The 22-year-old guard is scoring at all three levels while also improving as a playmaker. The raw assist numbers don't show it, but he's making accurate passes at the right time to set up his teammates for open shots or extra passes.

Dennis Smith Jr. is more important to the team than you think

The Nets desperately needed a lockdown guard defender during this stretch of games. Spencer Dinwiddie played well notching multiple double-doubles, but his defense was not on the same level as Dennis Smith Jr's.

The uber-athletic guard could've done a better job by preventing Collin Sexton or Talen Horton-Tucker from scoring 27 points apiece as they did in this game.

The former NC State star remains sidelined with an upper-back injury, which is a shame since he's a game-changer on defense and a superb playmaker in transition. Vaughn and the rest need him healthy and ready as soon as possible.

Mikal needs to lock in again

Mikal has been fantastic for the Nets during this season so far. Unfortunately, he was in a slump in the past five games as he struggled with making shots efficiently.

It was a sign of fatigue because he has played 35+ minutes per game during this stretch. This lack of energy was visible in his performance against Utah, shooting 4-of-16 from the field.

If the Nets want to win more games, they need a focused Bridges because he provides another dimension to their offense alongside Thomas. Glimpses of their synergy emerged in this game when they collaborated effectively. 

The December 20th game against the New York Knicks at Barclays is an opportunity for them to shine together.

The Nets stumble to a third-straight loss against Utah

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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