The Nets’ defenses have collapsed since they traded Jarrett Allen. And for the second game in a row, their former center came back to chase them – and own their paint.
The Nets imploded in the third quarter, falling 125-113 in Cleveland Friday. And it was Allen who was at the heart of the deciding run that blew the game wide open.
The undersized Nets were destroyed 62-32 on the glass and scored 70-44 in the paint. They saw Allen score 19 points on 7-of-9 shots, mostly dunks – including a savage one on Joe Harris. Kyrie Irving’s game-high 38 was lost, sabotaged by the Nets’ inability to stop or pick up a plate.
It’s been a recurring problem since they traded Allen to get James Harden and form their Big 3 with Irving and Kevin Durant.
“Defense must be a priority. It’s what makes or breaks our season… and we need to improve on it, ”said Steve Nash.
“Without practice time, with all the novelty and with three assault weapons that are used to carrying a charge offensively, that will take time. I don’t know if we can fix that in a few weeks. It’s something we have to cut short all season – it’s going to be a work in progress all season and it has to be our number one priority. “
Harden (19 points, 11 assists) gave the Nets a 70-69 lead on a stepback 3-pointer with 7:47 left in the third. It was the last lead they would enjoy.
Seeking some payback from Wednesday’s humiliating double overtime loss in Cleveland – and playing without a resting Durant – the Nets coughed up a game-closing 20-5 run that epitomized how this evening fared.
Irving flipped the ball, never came back on defense, and then got a technical play. Meanwhile, Allen ended the run by finishing a two-for-one quick break and throwing into an alleyway from Darius Garland. It left the Nets 89-75, with Allen’s megawatt smile telling the story of this game, and his payback against the team that traded him.
The Nets’ field goal defense has plummeted from sixth to 22nd place in the first four games since that deal. A defensive rating that was 11th before Allen lost would have been 26th after the trade on Friday.
Hence Norvel Pelle’s signing, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by the Post. The arrival of the six-foot, 231-pounder – pending health and safety protocols approval – gives the Nets back up to DeAndre Jordan and more rim protection.
Pelle scored an average of just 2.4 points and three boards in 24 games last season with the Sixers; but its 1.3 blocks in just 9.7 minutes and 7 feet-3½ wingspan will be helpful.
At the age of 27, Pelle has taken a long, winding road to Brooklyn. Born in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, he lived in the US Virgin Islands before settling in California.
Pelle, the national top rivals in his class, turned pro, eventually playing in Taiwan, Beirut and Italy before finally reaching the NBA last season.
Now he gets the chance to compete for a rotation spot. Allen is gone, Nic Claxton is injured, and Durant is the only other Net six feet.
Jeff Green and Reggie Perry are both 6-8, the former a stretch four and the latter a rough pick for round two.
Since the deal with Pelle wasn’t official, Nash didn’t talk about his shot blocker or getting help in the trade market with their new Disabled Player Exception.
“We have to improve, and we have to look within to improve,” said Nash. “If the roster composition changes defensively for the better, that’s great; but I don’t think we can rely on that, because that may not be possible. It’s not like they just fall off the trees so we can pick up men who are going to change our defenses. You always watch; That said, we have to look inward and take responsibility and make it a priority and try to grow defensively. “