Mikal Bridges sets new career-high and torches Miami Heat

Mikal Bridges torches Miami Heat, setting a new career-high of 45 points in the process. After a disappointing 7-point performance this outburst was exactly what the doctor ordered. Bridges, who is quickly becoming a fan-favorite, is looking more and more at ease in Brooklyn. He seems to be embracing a bigger role on offense and is already a vocal leader in the locker room according to Jacque Vaughn. Just like Cam Thomas, “Brooklyn Bridges” also will not average 40 points per game however, if number 1 can play like he did against the Heat, he will be the number one scoring option going forward.

The JV shuffle continues

With Seth Curry returning from a 5 game absence, coach Vaughn had an additional offensive weapon at his disposal. JV opted to start Johnson, Finney-Smith, Dinwiddie, Bridges and Claxton, having Curry come off the bench. Someone must have said something to Dindwiddie, for he only took 4 shots compared to the 21 shots he took in MSG last Monday. Despite scoring only 9 points against Miami, he shot a blistering 75% from the field, only taking 3-point shots, plus adding 5 dimes. He was much more the playmaker, which worked out well for the Nets. Cam Johnson added 18 points, including a big 3 that put the Nets up by 12 in the fourth quarter. Cam Thomas added 19 points off the bench. Some of the minutes distribution seemed questionable again with Claxton and Thomas playing 25 and 21 minutes respectively and Ben Simmons playing 20 minutes while scoring only 2 points.

Brooklyn Bridges Takeover

The Miami Heat were without a few key pieces. Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo were missing. Duncan Robinson played his first game in over a month, scoring 6 points. The Heat were led by Bam Adebayo, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds. Gabe Vincent added 21 points and Max Strus added 18. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler only had 13 points. All anyone was talking about after the game was Mikal Bridges. The new leader of the Nets erupted for 45 points on a sizzling 70% shooting. At one stage he scored 15 consecutive points and he dropped 17 points in the deciding final frame. Bridges has said he is looking to carry a bigger offensive load. If this is the preview, Nets fans have a lot to be excited about.

All-starless All-star Break

With no KD and Kyrie on the team and Yuta Watanabe not selected for the 3-point contest, the entire Nets squad will have quite some time off. The next game for the Brooklyn team will be on Friday, February 24. Jacque Vaughn has his work cut out for him. Cam Thomas looked very dissatisfied during the post-game presser and with Curry back, more players who weren’t expecting to can fall out of the rotation. Some of the decisions coach Vaugh has made have raised eyebrows. This is not a problem in the short term. As long as JV makes clear decisions and keeps communicating, things will be fine. Just give Cam Thomas more minutes and don’t play Simmons 20 when giving Watanabe 0.