Taking down an expected Conference Finals contender following two lackluster showings to open the season was equally impressive and unforeseen for the Brooklyn Nets and their new head coach Jordi Fernández, It was also his first career win in the big chair and the Nets first home win as well.
Today, however, with both teams meeting in the same spot roughly a month and a half later, the Nets and Bucks did what the script called for. Milwaukee took home the dub, beating Brooklyn via a last ditch comeback by a 118-113 final score.
Alas, that doesn’t mean the story of today’s game was without unexpected twists and turns.
Brooklyn controlled this one for its bulk run with Dennis Schröder casually outplaying Damian Lillard and everyone else on the Milwaukee roster not named Giannis Antetokounmpo by a nautical mile. It was a fun ride for anyone who wanted a win. It was an anxious one for anyone firmly on team tank. Let’s get into it.
Nic Claxton is Back
Whether he needed some time to find his groove in Jordi Fernández’s system or shake off the injury bug, Nic Claxton looked like a ghost of his prior self early this year, popping out to remind of his presence occasionally, only to fade back into the background soon after.
But today, and even vs Indiana, he was reanimated. Clax finished with a season high 21 points along with 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks for the game. He put up a season high 14 shots getting there, going 9-14 from the field.
“I’m just getting my flow back. That’s just me playing more games,” Claxton said postgame. “My body, everything is just starting to come together. I need to be aggressive for us, especially right now with Cam [Thomas] being out and us missing some scoring.”
It’s hard to think of a stronger invitation to pass out of the paint than the sight of Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Claxton cordially declined. He looked for his shot and the Nets were rewarded, as Brooklyn was +3 with him on the floor tonight.
Nice take from Nic Claxton here. Nets have had trouble putting pressure on the rim today but Clax gets the finish with some finesse.
He's looked far more aggressive in the past game and a half. pic.twitter.com/2eKAqGRvM1
— Collin Helwig (@collinhelwig) December 8, 2024
Clax ventured outside that area as well, pulling another one from three tonight. His 22nd career attempt from deep didn’t find nylon, but it argues he’s making a concerted effort to develop a 3-point shot, with this now being his second straight contest featuring at least one shot from range. Claxton triples could become common, rather than a firework that goes off once or twice a year.
Bringing both old and new tricks to the table today, Claxton was aggressive in every sense of the word. It’s good to have the 25-year-old back — in terms of his development and with him now on the books for the foreseeable future.
Dennis Schröder is Good...Maybe Too Good
Dennis has been a menace to opposing teams — and the faction of Nets fans campaigning for a hard tank this season. The journeyman point guard was near-perfect today, putting up 34 points and 11 assists without a single turnover. He also shot a clean 13-19 from the field.
Schröder hitting the snooze button on Dame Time was the biggest factor in keeping this game competitive even with the Bucks possessing a consensus top-five player in the league right now. Lillard shot just 2-of-7 from the field to finish with 15 points, 11 assists, six boards, and a whopping seven turnovers.
The question of whether or not Brooklyn should really be winning games has been like a grey cloud above the Nets with every step they’ve taken this year, no matter the direction. It’s only inflated with the team winning a few here, then losing a few there, equally stirring up the tank commanders and the pure fans.
I’m not here to answer that question — at least not in December. But whatever side the Nets decide to appease, Dennis Schröder will be at the head of that decision.
He’s been largely responsible for almost all of Brooklyn’s wins this year. You could say the same for this near-win today. Keeping or removing him will be like keeping or removing a central pillar holding up a structure. In whatever direction the Nets chose to go come trade season, the first domino has his face on it.
Can’t Rely on the Bench Forever
The story of Brooklyn’s prior game centered around Brooklyn’s bench mob, which with an endorsement from Dennis Schröder, stayed in the game down the stretch of the fourth quarter to help the Nets seal their 10th win of the season.
Other side of the coin...fall back to Earth...whatever you want to call it, the Nets gave us a different narrative today. This time, it was Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr., and “for now” reserve Khris Middleton who carried when the starters took breathers, combining for 54 points.
Brooklyn’s bench only generated 17, losing to Milwaukee there by a 43-point margin. Their worst five of the game included Day’Ron Sharpe, Trendon Watford, Ben Simmons, Shake Milton, and Jalen Wilson, which was a -12 in five minutes of burn (via PivoteFade.com).
The Nets have and will continue to preach lineup fluidity. That’s how it should be for any younger, rebuilding unit as well. But they can’t expect to rely on flame thrower performances from Tyrese Martin or Ben Simmons time machine moments if they want to win either.