Nets see N.O. as measuring stick
NEW ORLEANS — A day after blowing out the Cavaliers, the Nets say that was just par for the course, a game they should’ve won.
Friday — against superstar Anthony Davis and his undefeated Pelicans — is when they’ll learn something about themselves.
“I’d say we’re doing what we’re supposed to do. [Friday] is going to be a good challenge for us,” Ed Davis said. “[Friday] is going to be a great test. Get back to me [Friday] after the game.
“Not to take anything away from Cleveland, but I don’t think they’re a top-five team in the East. … We came in expecting to win. We took care of business. But [Friday] is definitely one of those games where we’ll really see where we’re at on the offensive end and defensive end.”
That defensive end is where New Orleans may give the Nets (2-2) problems.
The Pelicans entered Thursday leading the NBA in scoring (132 points), margin (plus-15.3), offensive rating (122.2) and effective field-goal percentage (57.3). And all of that runs through Davis, surrounded by shooters to unlock his MVP potential.
“Obviously probably the hottest team in the league in terms of offensive efficiency and how well they’ve been playing together,” Joe Harris said. “We’re excited about it, excited to put our defense to the test for sure.” Tough test doesn’t do this justice. “That’s what I told the guys: We’ve got the ultimate challenge, defensive challenge. Can we have another really good defensive performance against a great offensive team?” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “[Nikola] Mirotic changes the equation. When you have a four who can shoot like that, it just stretches you out. So we’ve got to [deal with that].
“And they obviously have a superstar. You’ve got to help on him, and now that [the shooters] opens up. So we’ve got to find the right balance between helping out on [Anthony] Davis, but not helping too much where they’re just firing away 3s.”
Like last season. After the Nets had rung up 143 points on New Orleans two years ago — the most ever against the Pelicans — they lost both meetings last season.
The Nets will start Jarrett Allen at center, but Ed Davis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and perhaps even Kenneth Faried will get shots at slowing down Anthony Davis, who is averaging 30.3 points and 13 boards.
“He’s the top power forward in the game,” Ed Davis said. “He gets a lot of calls, he’s a hell of a player, he can shoot it, he can put it on the floor, he can go left, he can go right and then they run a lot of stuff through him. You’re not going to shut him down.”
After going 1-of-7 from 3 in the opener, Harris has hit 12-of-15. He’s averaging 14.8 points and will be tough to take out of the lineup even once Allen Crabbe is fully reintegrated and DeMarre Carroll (ankle) and Treveon Graham (hamstring) return, according to Atkinson.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Atkinson said. “It’s going to be tough.”