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Former Nets star D’Angelo Russell, who was despatched to Golden State as a part of a sign-and-trade deal totally free agent Kevin Durant in 2019, returns to Barclays Heart Friday evening.
However now, he’s a part of the Timberwolves’ “Large 3” together with middle Karl-Anthony Cities and ahead Anthony Edwards, and he lately mentioned a Minnesota crew that gained seven of its earlier 9 video games was placing the NBA “on discover.”
That was earlier than the T-Wolves misplaced Wednesday evening in Washington, however Russell was certain to reach in Brooklyn with a chip on his shoulder. He got here in averaging 18.9 factors and 6.2 assists however really is third on his crew in scoring behind Cities (24.0) and Edwards (22.1).
Following apply on Thursday, Nets coach Steve Nash anxious most about masking Cities, however he took a scary fall at Washington and was listed as questionable with a tailbone contusion.
Though James Harden was anticipated to begin at level guard for the Nets reverse Russell, it figured that both beginning ahead DeAndre’ Bembry or reserve Bruce Brown can be known as upon to spend vital time defending Russell.
“BB and Bembry would be the most important candidates,” Nash admitted. “However in all probability everybody goes to take a shot. Somebody’s acquired to protect Edwards. They’ve loads of guys which might be going to check us defensively, and we’re going to wish all these defenders to take alternatives on each these guys.”
Given Durant’s size, he figured to be the main candidate to protect Edwards. It figured the perfect matchup for Russell is likely to be Brown coming off the bench due to the dimensions match and his tenacious defensive type.
“D’Angelo is an efficient participant,” mentioned Brown, who was taking part in for the Pistons when Russell was on the Nets. “Performs at his personal tempo, laborious to hurry him up. However I simply assume we’ve to be bodily with him, preserve him away from his left hand, make him use the fitting and contest each shot that he places up.”
Clearly, Brown relished the problem. He even went as far as to say he “preferred” guarding Russell. “I simply strain him,” Brown mentioned. “It might need been my first NBA begin was on D’Lo, and I believe I did a reasonably good job. I simply attempt to be bodily with him, preserve him to his proper hand and velocity him up slightly bit, however it’s laborious to hurry him up.”
Brown began the 2018-19 opener towards the Nets as a rookie, performed 19 minutes and helped maintain Russell to eight factors in a Pistons win. That’s the type of defensive effort the Nets must construct on a streak during which they’ve gained 13 of their previous 16 video games.
It was second-half protection that fueled their final win over the Knicks on Tuesday after they allowed solely 49 factors to tug out a two-point win. In that case, Brown advised the offense really sparked the protection when the Nets opened the third quarter with a 14-0 run and ultimately constructed a 16-point lead they later gave again.
“We performed with quite a lot of tempo, and that simply will get us going,” Brown mentioned. “We really feel good. We all know we’re a halfcourt defensive crew. We wrestle in transition proper now, so as soon as we’re in halfcourt and we are able to get our protection set, we’re nice.”
As sizzling because the Timberwolves have been, they have been coming off a loss at Washington, the place Russell had 9 assists however scored solely 10 factors on 3-for-18 taking pictures. So Brown wasn’t too anxious about Minnesota’s sizzling streak.
“I assume they’re profitable video games,” he mentioned, “however they’re going to have a troublesome matchup [Friday night].”
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