Brooklyn Nets coach Kenny Atkinson likes to use his reserve players liberally and in the last three games, the second unit is producing significant numbers.
On Sunday afternoon, the Nets visit the Chicago Bulls and Atkinson is hoping to get continued production from his reserves.
Brooklyn (19-21) heads into the halfway point hovering near .500 because of its performance in the last month. Since an eight-game losing streak from Nov. 21-Dec. 5, the Nets are 11-3 in their last 14 games.
During their hot streak, the Nets are averaging 50.7 points per game from reserves and 115.2 points per game. Brooklyn has received at least 50 points from reserves in seven of those games and in three straight, including 78 on Dec. 29 in Milwaukee, when its bench players helped turn a 27-point deficit into a single-digit gap in a 14-point loss.
The Nets are getting production from their bench while three starters are injured. Caris LeVert remains out with a foot injury, Allen Crabbe has missed the last 11 games with a knee injury and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is likely to miss a third straight game with a groin injury. >> Read More
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