Here are three thoughts from the Nets’ 115-111 loss to the Magic in Orlando Wednesday night:
1. There was some grumbling on the Internet about Nets coach Jason Kidd’s decision to sit Paul Pierce and Shaun Livingston, both of whom picked up minor injuries in Tuesday’s win in Miami, against the Magic because the Nets still had a chance to move above fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings.
But, realistically, the Nets didn’t have much of a chance of passing Toronto or Chicago for fourth even before they both won and the Nets lost Wednesday. The Nets were three back (factoring in the tiebreakers, which the Nets lose to both teams) with five games to go, and all three teams finish up with soft schedules.
So, with a veteran team that is confident it can beat anyone, there’s no need to risk player health over a likely fruitless quest for the third or fourth seed. It made sense to sit Pierce and Livingston, and other players likely will sit over the next week to make sure they’re as healthy and rested as possible for the playoffs next weekend.
2. In his second game back from back spasms, Kevin Garnett continued to look impressive, scoring five points with eight rebounds and six assists in 16:32, showing the same kind of bounce and energy he had in his return to the floor last Saturday against the Sixers.
For as well as Mason Plumlee has played, if the Nets are going to make a deep run, it’s going to be because Garnett plays well in the postseason. These first two games back have been an encouraging sign.
3. The other promising development from Wednesday’s game was getting 23 minutes out of Andrei Kirilenko, who, like Garnett, is working his way back from injury. Kirilenko is such a versatile and unique player off the bench, and when he’s played this season the Nets have won the vast majority of their games. Having him healthy and operating at peak efficiency for the playoffs would give the Nets a huge lift.