After affordable schedule, Nets set to ramp up serious testing

When Steve Nash was thanked in early November by the Nets, they were almost at the bottom of the hole. With two small victories on the clock in seven outings.

Since then, Jacque Vaughn has restored order, Kyrie Irving has come out of suspension, Ben Simmons has regained confidence, the injured have returned (Seth Curry, TJ Warren, etc.) while Kevin Durant has remained Kevin Durant.

The New Yorkers went from 14th to 4th place in the standings in the East. A spectacular jump which can also be explained by a more favorable calendar. We recall that after their disastrous departure, they had a terrible streak of ten out of twelve away games, ending on an honorable note with seven victories.

Then they chained the receptions of teams from the East under 50% of victories, with eight successes in nine games, including the last two with the Pacers, then the Wizards.

The challenge now is to know if their current good form can be maintained over time. ” It’s a good question. Whether it’s sustainable or not, we have to prove it to ourselves every time we lace up our shoes, every time we walk into the locker room and get ready. We know what we have to do “, displays Kyrie Irving.

Kevin Durant liked the style

The latter insists on the state of mind of his team, which can now focus on basketball.

” Let’s win games, that’s all. It’s really our attitude. No more excuses, no more distractions, no more surprise injuries. We want everyone to be healthy, everyone to have fun and come and play their game “, completes the leader.

On the current series, the Nets lost their biggest meeting against the Celtics, when the majority of the beaten teams were deprived of a major player. Kevin Durant evokes a ” favorable schedule. We faced a few teams that were missing players. Being home for seven of them, being able to wake up in our own beds and having our own routine at home is certainly important. “Judge KD.

But overall, the star appreciated the style of play developed by his team, on both sides of the pitch. ” We continued to play our system and we did what we wanted on both sides of the pitch. So yes, being at home matters. Having everyone back healthy matters. So we just want to keep working. »

They will have to do it with a phase of twelve games until mid-January, including eight new trips (Raptors, Pistons, Cavaliers, Hawks, Hornets, Bulls, Pelicans and Heat) and the reception of league leaders: Warriors , Bucks and Celtics (in addition to the Spurs).