NEW YORK – Because the Brooklyn Nets put together for his or her final two video games of the common season, they achieve this with their very own future within the playoffs.
If the Nets – presently ranked eighth within the Jap Convention with a file 42-38 – win their final two video games, they are going to e book the seventh seed and host their first play-off sport for the East subsequent Tuesday evening. Veteran Andre Drummond has left little doubt about his workforce’s mentality heading into Friday’s sport towards the Cleveland Cavaliers — the workforce that sits in a single place properly forward of the online.
“I believe these are video games to be gained for us,” Drummond stated after Friday’s penalty shootout. “I believe we all know what lies forward and we all know what’s going to occur if we win these two video games. I believe our sense of urgency is somewhat greater than it was earlier than, and I believe we’re able to take that subsequent step.”
The Nets, who’ve handled a wide range of infections, the team-wide COVID-19 outbreak in December and Kyrie Irving’s part-time case from January to March on account of his resolution to not get the COVID vaccine, stay assured they’ll nonetheless catch the virus. The rhythm they should obtain an extended distance within the postseason.
“If we’re enjoying properly as we head into the sport of play, these two video games will handle themselves and now we have to win them,” stated goalkeeper Seth Curry. “But when we do not play properly, we most likely will not be out of the sport anyway.
“So it is only a matter [playing] Our type of play, confidence and good rhythm enjoying our greatest basketball.”
Each Drummond and Curry have been strong since he was dealt, together with Ben Simmons and two future first-round picks, to the Nets in a remaining commerce deal that despatched James Harden and Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers. Even if Simmons nonetheless hasn’t performed for the Nets on account of a again harm – and the return of the playoffs stays a extremely unsure chance – Brooklyn stays steadfast in believing that they’ll nonetheless win the title this 12 months.
“I believe the mentality of everybody at first of the 12 months, is to try to win a championship,” Drummond stated. “I believe with this workforce now we have a particular group of gamers right here – something is feasible, it is the NBA on the finish of the day. Something can occur.
“We simply have to hold our hat, put our greatest foot ahead…so now we have that mentality that we will win. I believe everybody has the identical mindset. For us, we’re simply attempting to remain inside ourselves and make issues occur.”
For Curry, which means persevering with to play by the ache in his left ankle. After lacking the earlier two video games, Curry scored 15 factors and made three throws in Wednesday’s 110-98 win over the New York Knicks.
“It is just about the identical, man,” Curry stated of his ankle harm. “Simply attempting to handle it – and I bought over it and performed with some ache. So it is only a day by day measure factor, attempting to get to the tip of the season within the playoffs, and provides the workforce what I can. I really feel like Tiger I can hit 1 underneath Augusta yesterday, I can play with somewhat little bit of ache.” for the remainder of the season.”
