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While the Nets face a crucial first-round match in the fourth game of Saturday at Barclays Center (already 2-1 on Philadelphia), nothing is excluded from the table.
Coach Kenny Atkinson is considering changing composition. If he does not launch the fearsome Caris LeVert – something he thinks about – he is willing to extend the playing time of his guard troika by giving him 40 minutes if needed, as these are desperate times.
"Of course, I would consider it, I'm not saying it's going to happen, we can do a lot of different things," Atkinson said of the launch of LeVert, which has only started once since March 19 .
"Yeah, everything is open. We really have to watch it. It's part of the game of adjustment, to determine what they are doing and how we can counter it. The first part is about the people you play and when you play them. We definitely got back to the drawing board. "
Atkinson would be better off finding solutions on this drawing board. After consecutive defeats, another defeat would put the Nets on the brink of elimination to return to Philadelphia for Tuesday's fifth game.
And what they prepare will likely involve LeVert, who finishes a 26-point night and seven rebounds in the third game. It has an average of 20.7 points and a torrid average of 53.3%.
"Honestly, much of what I do is a byproduct of how they protect everyone else. They deny Joe [Harris], denying D'Angelo [Russell], same with Spencer [Dinwiddie]"Said LeVert." Sometimes they play trying to beat me up. "
While Harris fought on both sides against JJ Redick, LeVert is a leading defender and has penetrated at will.
"He's having a good rhythm right now. It really attacks the basket. Obviously, his speed is hard to handle, "said Atkinson.
This raises the question of whether he would start LeVert – something that, according to Russell, would help him.
"Yes, of course, adding another ball manipulator to the market frees me from the pressure to lift and facilitate it – I can almost get out and become a scorer too," said Russell.
"We talked about making some changes," LeVert said when asked. "We have not put anything in the marble yet."
Even if he does not leave, Atkinson would be interested in giving him more playing time.
"It's not really my job to say that. I'm just going out there and trying to play games when I can, "said LeVert.
"Curse has been amazing for us. Honestly, he kept us in the majority of these games because of what he was able to do in an offensive way. We are waiting for the same thing [Saturday]Harris said, "He's also been exceptionally defensive, and a lot of other guys have to take over."
LeVert had 19 points in the second quarter and Brooklyn lost just seven points in the break. But Atkinson left him on the bench until the Nets fell behind on 84-69 with 5:31 left in the third before bringing him home.
"Kenny has done a good job all season with the rotation," LeVert said. "I'm just trying to make games when my number is called."
After cooling down on the bench, LeVert began to percolate at the end of the third third. His band Ben Simmons and his finger were reduced to 97-90, 10 seconds from the end. This gave Atkinson food for thought, saying he would be willing to extend the minutes of his guards trio.
"When it's not an eruption, they will have more minutes. If it's a tighter game, you could see them [play] 36, "said Atkinson." Listen, if we have to play 40 minutes, we would have no problem playing them 40 minutes in a playoff game. "
The Sixers rode their stars. Simmons (38), Jimmy Butler (37), Tobias Harris (36) and Redick (34) all recorded long minutes in match 3. No net has gone over 30. This may have to change Saturday.
"In the last three to four weeks, he's been our best player behind D'Lo," said Jared Dudley. "We are going to need that from him."
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