The Brooklyn Nets took on their second matchup of the 2024-25 season with an intriguing matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Nets kept things close midway through the game but a late collapse saw them lose 116-101. Brooklyn improved in some areas from their season opener, but they failed to maintain intensity throughout the entirety of Friday's matchup.
Head coach Jordi Fernandez spoke about Brooklyn's struggles after their loss, highlighting the need for a crucial fix:
“We did a good job matching their physicality in the first half… But we had six turnovers for five points in the first half then 12 for 20 in the second half,” Fernandez said, per Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
Turnovers were not the only problem Brooklyn had. The Magic outscored the Nets 32-25 in the third quarter and had a 35-30 advantage in the fourth. There were times when the Nets displayed a steady stream of offense, such as using pick-and-pops with Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Thomas creating his own shot, and Ben Simmons driving into Orlando's defense to either score or pass to open teammates.
But as Jordi Fernandez noted, the Nets failed to maintain consistency throughout the game's duration. This was only Brooklyn's second game of the season, so there is plenty of time for the team to gel and find what works to be more successful on both sides of the ball.
The crucial fix Fernandez seems to want the Nets to address is turnovers. Brooklyn finished Friday night's game with 19 in total compared to Orlando's 13.
1 way Nets can limit turnovers for future matchups
It would seem the obvious answer to Brooklyn's turnover woes is simply to take care of the basketball better. As great as it would be for the Nets to follow that advice, the way they want to play and different scenarios during the game make it difficult.
Before 2024-25 season's start, Jalen Wilson revealed Fernandez's desire for the Nets to play up-tempo. If Fernandez wants Brooklyn to emphasize a fast-paced playing style, then he has to accept the greater risk of turnovers. Still, one thing the Nets can do to improve is limit their three-quarter to full-court passes.
There were at least two times on Friday night when Ben Simmons attempted to throw a near full-court pass ahead to his teammates in transition. His intentions were well, but those types of passes have a greater chance to either being intercepted by defenders or thrown out of bounds.
The Nets should still look to outlet the ball in transition, but they should stick to safer passes if they want to minimize their turnovers. Throwing a touchdown type of pass should mostly only happen if a player is wide-open down court. If Simmons and Brooklyn's other playmakers are more careful with gauging the distance on their passes, they can improve upon their woes ahead of future matchups. c