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What we learned from the Nets getting a significant win against the Hawks
The Nets dominated from the jump, as Coach Kevin Ollie’s squad got a wire-to-wire blowout win 124 to 97. It was a crucial result for Brooklyn, considering the Atlanta Hawks are above them in the standings.
Brooklyn had a well-rounded performance from almost every player, but the standout was Cameron Johnson, scoring 29 points on seven three-pointers. It was a much-needed performance from Cam after he was demoted to the bench when Ollie took over as the interim head coach.
This performance has shown some massive takeaways that could be monumental moving forward.
Brooklyn thrives when they shoot well from three
The Nets hit 22 three-pointers against the Hawks, which created separation from the opponents. Johnson was a big part of this, given his off-ball movement and quick trigger helped him get clear shots at the rim.
Dennis Schroder was instrumental in Brooklyn’s three-point barrage, setting up his teammates with seven assists. Apart from his playmaking, Schroder was also precise with his shooting, as he hit five three-pointers of his own. Mikal Bridges and Lonnie Walker IV contributed with three makes from beyond the arc.
Day’Ron Sharpe is growing into a stellar backup center
Before an injury took him out for a month, Day' Ron Sharpe was already one of the most reliable players off the Nets’ bench. He is a stellar rebounder who doesn’t rely on his athleticism to crash the boards.
He had a superb game against Atlanta, scoring 12 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and even got four assists. Despite his solid stat line, Sharpe’s best moments were in the fourth quarter when he hit two three-pointers, showing his growth as an offensive player.
Brooklyn can reach a higher level than usual
The Nets have showcased what level they can reach with this performance against Atlanta. All the players were living up to Coach Ollie’s standards of doing it with intense energy. Everyone was pushing the pace and following the defensive schemes.
It will be a challenging second game on Saturday, but Brooklyn has the potential to win that game with Trae Young’s absence from the Hawks lineup. Coach Ollie must preach avoiding complacency, given the Nets need every win they can get. In the meantime, Brooklyn must maintain how well they’ve played in this game, as that can be why they should succeed.
