NetsGC Shifts Focus to Late Season Playoff Push
July 28, 2020
After a quick reprieve from regular season play, NetsGC turns its eye toward a playoff push with just three series remaining until the postseason. The home stretch offers plenty of challenges for Brooklyn, starting with a showdown against TURN finalist Wizards District Gaming to kick off Week 11.
As it stands, NetsGC occupies the ninth and final automatic qualifying spot for the playoffs and with plenty of other teams in contention and lurking, every series is crucial.
Washington will likely be the toughest opponent Brooklyn faces from here on out. The team recently pieced together a strong run at last week’s TURN tournament, taking down 76ers GC, Mavs Gaming and Jazz Gaming, but ultimately falling to undefeated Raptors Uprising GC in the finals.
Though its playoff participation is all but guaranteed with a 10-2 record, Wizards District Gaming can secure its playoff spot with a win against NetsGC, giving the team plenty to play for on Tuesday night.
Taking down the Wizards is a task that only Raptors Uprising and Jazz Gaming—first and second in the league standings and both with secured spots in the postseason—have been able to accomplish. The team has few weaknesses on the court and can dominate on both the offensive and defensive ends.
Brooklyn must play at the top of their game to take down Wizards District Gaming. A key priority for NetsGC is to keep Dayfri contained as much as possible. The third-year center has been undoubtedly one of the best at his position this season, so keeping his scoring numbers down and out-rebounding him will go a long way toward success for Brooklyn.
This year’s first overall pick JBM is also an obvious focus for Brooklyn’s defense. Though the rookie point guard isn’t among the league’s most prolific scorers in his position, he does have outstanding court vision and can control the tempo of the game. Making sure he’s inefficient on offense will make it easier to key in on Washington’s solid cast of secondary scorers.
Strong team defense will have to be the theme for a defeat over Wizards District Gaming. In the finals of THE TURN, Raptors Uprising GC held the Wizards to just 51 points in both games. In game one, Just_Awkward, ReeseDaGod and Newdini combined for just 12 points. In game two, JBM and Dayfri could only muster 24 points total. Similar defensive efforts will be needed on Tuesday.
On the offensive end, NetsGC’s own secondary scorers must show up in Week 11. In order to clinch a win, NetsGC will need a top-notch performance from all of its players. Just_Awkward has been an underrated presence on defense for Washington, so Brooklyn will need to depend on offensive output from other positions to have a chance.
NetsGC faces off against Wizards District Gaming on Tuesday, 9 p.m. ET. The series can be viewed live on ESPN2 and the NBA 2K League’s Twitch and YouTube channels.