Mikal Bridges takes blame for Nets’ sweep: ‘letting my group down’
With nice scoring comes nice expectations.
Mikal Bridges’ ascension to an elite scorer, averaging 26 points-per-game after his in-season commerce to the Nets, made him a focus of the first-round playoff sequence.
That additionally left him to fall on his sword Saturday after the 76ers completed a four-game sweep with a 96-88 victory in Recreation 4 at Barclays Heart.
“I really feel like these previous video games, I’ve been letting my group down,” Bridges stated. “I hate not [winning] a sport for them. It hurts me as I’m simply making an attempt, however it’s a part of it, man. I simply come clean with it and understand all you are able to do is simply get higher. That’s the most important factor for me.”
Bridges (17 factors) shot 6-for-18 within the last sport of the season and the Nets had been minus-13 when he was on the ground in his worst sport of a sequence during which he averaged 23.5 factors per sport on 42.8 p.c capturing.
He additionally defended James Harden (17 factors and 11 assists).
“I really like my guys to demise and I instructed them, ‘That’s on me, I’m sorry I couldn’t come via and simply win some video games,’ ” Bridges stated. “I simply needed to make some pictures, however I promised them I’ll be higher subsequent time.”
When the season started, Bridges was a No. 3 or No. 4 possibility for the Suns. Then, he was the Nets’ key participant return within the Kevin Durant commerce.
Bridges led the NBA in whole minutes performed and miles run on the court docket, however denied that he was worn down on the finish..
“They simply performed more durable than us,” Bridges stated. “That’s only one factor. I feel you simply can’t loosen up.”
Lengthy Island native Tobias Harris got here again to hang-out his hometown group.
With Joel Embiid sidelined, Harris — who was born in Islip and starred in highschool at Half Hole Hills West — stepped up with a team-high 25 factors on 11-for-19 capturing to go together with 12 rebounds.
“One phrase,” Harris’ father and agent, Torrel, instructed The Put up. “Give the ball to Tobias Harris.
“Nice group basketball.”
Nic Claxton signed a two-year, $17.2 million contract final offseason that now appears like a Nets-friendly discount after he developed right into a bona fide beginning heart with career-highs of 12.6 factors and 9.2 rebounds per sport through the common season.
He scored 15 of his 19 factors in Recreation 4 through the first half and have become the primary participant in franchise historical past with 200 dunks in a season.
“To see his progress this yr actually makes me understand why I wish to do that,” head coach Jacque Vaughn stated. “To be round a man that’s completely totally different than after I met him.
“His seriousness, his skill to direct guys, to know learn how to develop with guys, to be in the fitting place and study from it, to be within the unsuitable place and study from it, to vary his free-throw routine. And to have the ability to be locked into making an attempt to get higher. A whole lot of progress from him — extra to come back.”
Vaughn tweaked his rotation once more to play Seth Curry (21 minutes) and Patty Mills (5) after neither performed in Recreation 3.
Cam Thomas, who was one in all two bench scorers in Recreation 3, didn’t play for the second time within the sequence.
Quick Break
Hero
Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris scored a team-high 25 factors and added 12 rebounds. His turnaround jumper accomplished a third-quarter comeback from an eight-point halftime deficit.
Zero
Mikal Bridges shot 6-for-18 from the ground to get to 17 factors, because the NBA’s chief in minutes was fatigued by the top of the sequence.
Unsung hero
Paul Reed, who averaged 6.3 factors and 4.3 rebounds over the primary three video games, stepped up in Joel Embiid’s absence and completed with 10 factors and 15 rebounds.
Key stat
24.3 Proportion that the Nets shot from 3-point vary (9-for-37).
Quote of the Day
“Getting swept is trash. It’s not a superb feeling.”
— Nic Claxton on the Nets not profitable a sport for the second straight postseason