The Brooklyn Nets have answered many questions about their ability to come together as a team.
On Sunday, the Nets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers (second in the Western Conference) 112-108, for their sixth straight win. This capped off an impressive hot streak on the West coast for the team, in which they also defeated, the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers, the current defending champions. Four of these five teams are currently in playoff position in a competitive Western Conference, but they were no match for the offensive firepower the Nets bring to the table.
The current Nets look is what was expected by many at the beginning of the season, as the Nets were instantly one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference with leadership from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. However, a few losses early in the season to the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons brought up some questions as to whether this Nets team could bring their many new pieces together cohesively. Nevertheless, following the blockbuster trade for superstar James Harden, the team has turned things around, and currently sits as the second seed in the Eastern Conference, only a half game behind the first place Philadelphia 76ers. Most notably in this slew of wins is the absence of Durant, who is arguably the best player and scorer among the Nets’ big three. Durant missed the last four games of the Nets’ road trip due to a hamstring strain, but the Nets still managed to win out.
The Nets are currently 12-4 against teams with a .500 record or better, which is best in the NBA. Assuming Durant recovers and is able to rejoin the other members of the big three on the court soon, Brooklyn will surely finish with one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference.
