Dinwiddie’s defense not sharing in breakout

Spencer Dinwiddie has been one of the NBA’s true revelations with the Nets. An absolute financial steal with a team-friendly contract, Dinwiddie also captured the NBA Skills Challenge title at All-Star Weekend. But recently, the former G-League player has regressed defensively and so his coach is asking for more.

“He’s got to pick it up, he’s got to do it on both ends,” coach Kenny Atkinson said Saturday. “It’s a heck of a challenge. He’s facing top guys. We think Spencer is a really good defender but he’s just got to be more consistent.

“I think he has his games but unfortunately at that position you can’t take the night off. You take a night off, some guy will score 30 on you,” Atkinson said. “It’s just that simple. So we need more defensive grit, defensive activity from him so we’ve got to push him there.”

Dinwiddie, averaging 13.5 points and 6.7 assists, is not the Nets’ top scoring option but his numbers recently reflect Atkin- son’s concern. Dinwiddie has been outscored by the opposing starting point guard in each of the past seven games, all losses. During that streak, which is part of the Nets’ current eightgame losing streak, Dinwiddie has been outscored 156-95, or 22.3 points per to 13.5.

Atkinson said he is not planning any imminent rotation or lineup changes but stressed nothing is permanent.

“We’re looking at everything. I don’t want to say no to anything. Everything is in the realm of possibility,” said Atkinson, who at least has one card back in his deck — health — with the expected Monday returns from injury of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Caris LeVert. “Being whole is so key. That’s what’s going to get us moving back in the right direction.”

The Nets (19-41) remain one victory shy of matching last season’s win total. But their next loss ensures their fifth straight losing season. Hey, if they go 22-0 to the end, they finish .500. ... Allen Crabbe has shot 29-of-71 (.408) on 3s in February, tying him for sixth in the league for the month. Crabbe has averaged 22.4 points in his past five games which includes a career-best 34 points. ... Joe Harris’ 91 3-pointers are the fifth most off the bench in Nets team history. Mirza Teletovic had 115 in 2013-14, Bostjan Nachbar drilled 109 in 2006-07 then 94 in 2007-08 while Jarvis Hayes made 93 in 2008-09.