The Brooklyn Nets ended a 10-game losing streak on Saturday in Detroit, erasing a 23-point third-quarter deficit to hand the league-leading Pistons their third consecutive defeat. Detroit’s setback came in the first leg of a home-and-road back-to-back; the Pistons visit Miami on Sunday.
“Our level of respect for the game,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said when asked what unraveled. “(During) the second half, we built a 20-point lead, and then we stopped respecting the game. You disrespect the game, and it’s going to bite you in the ass. That’s what happened to us.”
Reserve center Isaiah Stewart echoed the frustration. “Everyone in this locker room felt this was a must-win game,” he said. “All of us, as men, have to look ourselves in the mirror. We know we didn’t play up to our standards for 48 (minutes) tonight.”
Young energizes Washington crowd
Guard Trae Young shook off pre-game nerves to score on the Wizards’ opening possession in his Thursday debut. The four-time All-Star, playing for the first time in more than two months, logged 12 points, six assists, two rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes and finished plus-four in Washington’s win.
“Going to a new city and a new place, I’m living in the moment,” Young said. “I’m so joyful, happy that I’m here in this situation, this city, and I just look forward to having some great moments here. It’s all about what we do on the court.”
Rookie Reese posts 20-rebound night
Wizards forward/center Julian Reese, 22, recorded 18 points and 20 rebounds in just his third NBA game, the highest single-game rebound total by any rookie this season. “Being thrown into the fire like he has this last week, it’s been great to see,” Young noted. “Hopefully, he has more of these nights in the future, for sure.”
Raptors expected to seek roster upgrades
In a mailbag column, The Athletic’s Eric Koreen wrote that Toronto plans to be aggressive in pursuing roster improvements this offseason. While forward Scottie Barnes has become one of the league’s premier defenders, Koreen said his offensive limitations complicate the front office’s efforts to build around him.
Source: Hoops Rumors
