PHOENIX — After seven games, the Nets were averaging just over 83 points as the hunt for 25-point quarters turned into a nightly quest equal to the search for the Holy Grail. The team motto was, “Nobody does turnovers like us” and when it came to shooting, it if wasn’t a layup, chances are it was a miss.
The defense was considered something of a strong point, if 1-6 teams even have strong points.
Then came the last four games. Offensively, the Nets have been reborn. The 3-point shot has become a weapon to be feared (56-of-121, .463). They have averaged more than 100 points (100.8). A veritable irresistible force, of sorts.
The problem is the defense has become a real moveable object. In the same span, the Nets, who face the Suns here tonight, have surrendered 103.8 points per — 110.0 in the last three games.
“Our defense has let us down the last couple of games,” said Avery Johnson who, with the prospect of three games in 3 1/2 days upcoming, gave his team off from a formal practice yesterday when some players received treatment, some worked out and some probably wept privately.
The Nets are coming off a good news, bad news (mostly bad) effort in Denver where they were beaten 123-115, trailing by as many 23 points. They established a franchise record by making 20 3-point shots (in 35 tries) with six by Jordan Farmar and five by Anthony Morrow. They shot a season high .518. But they also surrendered, by far, the most points they’d allowed all season and posted their worst field-goal defense (.595). In the last three games, opponents have shot a stunning .544 (124-of-226).
“It’s always something different,” said forward Kris Humphries. “We couldn’t score for a while. Then (in Denver) we scored points and we’re not there defensively. … There was no D, but we were able to score the ball. Was it because we were executing or because they were up so much it turned into a pickup game?”
Figure a bit of both. Johnson noted, rightfully, the team is missing defense at the three spot where both DeShawn Stevenson (knee, plans to play tonight but is officially questionable) and Damion James (foot, out) have been absent, forcing rookie MarShon Brooks into the lineup. Brooks can score. Defensively? He’s a rookie, OK?
There is no interior defensive presence. The Nuggets partied inside, scoring 56 points in the paint, two games after the Heat got 50. Yeah, the Nets would like to have Brook Lopez back.
“We’re not going to make any excuses,’’ Morrow said. “We’ve just got to keep fighting and find a way to cut down on points in the paint.”
And maybe find the Grail while they’re at it.
* Several league sources confirmed last night the Nets and Grizzlies were involved in trade talks for a deal that contained Anthony Morrow and O.J. Mayo as principals. But the talks have cooled, if not died. The discussions were first reported by Yahoo Sports.
* Deron Williams, in fifth place among guards ,is the only Net represented in the first returns of Eastern Conference All-Star voting.