Inside The Nets

Why the Nets having the second-easiest schedule in the NBA can help them in the Playoff race

The Nets having one of the easiest schedules left in the league is huge for the team.

Peter Sunjic

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At the midway point of the season, the Nets have a 21-33 record but have an easier path for the Playoffs. That is due to a statistic called Remaining Schedule Strength, which calculates the combined winning percentage of all remaining opponents.

Brooklyn has the second-easiest schedule in the league, with only a combined winning percentage of 45.9%. The schedule will be crucial for the Nets as interim head coach Kevin Ollie looks to lead his team back to the Playoffs.

The Nets are healthier now

Brooklyn is ready for the second half of the season due to players getting healthy. Heading into the All-Star break, only Ben Simmons was dealing with an injury from the regular rotation. With this break, the team has rested their bodies, which could play a huge role moving forward.

Simmons is probably the most significant addition to the team since he’s the team’s offensive engine. At the same time, his defense would motivate the rest of the team to try harder and compete. The wing rotation of Dorian Finney-Smith, Cameron Johnson, and rookie Jalen Wilson will be significant for this team, as they can contribute in different areas of the game.

Brooklyn’s go-to scorers will have easier matchups

Cameron Thomas and Mikal Bridges have faced the best defenders in almost every game this season. By playing against teams with mediocre records, Cam and Mikal will have an easier time getting their rhythm and scoring more points than before.

The duo is scoring 42.9 points per game, which should get a marked improvement for the second half of the season, with more offensive threats in the supporting cast. Expect Thomas to get more on-ball opportunities, as Coach Ollie is the man in charge now.

The coaching change should galvanize the team

With Jacque Vaughn’s dismissal from his head coach role, the Nets are free from his struggles with rotations and in-game adjustments. With Ollie at the helm, the Nets are in good hands due to his experience as a champion coach with the UConn Huskies.

However, the players should use the Vaughn dismissal to galvanize themselves and compete. 

Nets promoting Kevin Ollie as interim head coach upon Jacque Vaughn's HC firing

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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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