Photo: Press Herald
It has been another disappointing week for the Brooklyn Nets. They started a two-game losing streak on Friday against their cross-town rivals. Bojan Bogdanovic contributed with seven points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes against the New York Knicks. In a 108-91 loss, Brooklyn allowed 42 points in the first quarter. For a Lionel Hollins team, their defensive issues have been puzzling.
With rookie shooting guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson suffering from a sprained right ankle, Bogdanovic started his first game of the season against the NBA champions. It wasn’t competitive with Golden State playing at an absurd level. Bojan failed to make an impression by shooting just two for seven from the field. In 20 minutes, the second-year player contributed with just five points and four rebounds. Brooklyn ended up losing 114-98 at home.
Brooklyn ended the week on a high note against Houston last night. For the second times this season, they upset the Rockets by 110-115. Bogdanovic scored 19 points in a breakout performance. It was the first time that the sharp-shooter scored more than ten points in nearly three weeks. Bojan played 38 minutes by filling in for Hollis-Jefferson once again. We’ll have to see what that means for his future within the rotation. With a lack of scorers on the wing, Bogdanovic still plays a pivotal role for Brooklyn, despite having his minutes recently reduced.
Brooklyn continues their home stand by playing the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. They face the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, before ending the week on Monday against Orlando. Unfortunately, it’s highly unlikely that Bogdanovic and Mario Hezonja will be able to face off.
Photo: AP
After watching from the sidelines for the first two games of the week, Mario Hezonja was back in action against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. Super Mario didn’t have much to show on the score sheet and finished the match with two points on one for three shooting and picked up three rebounds in 10 minutes of work. Scott Skiles is not one of the easiest coach’s to work for in the NBA and the Croatian international will have to be patient during his rookie season.
Photo: Warriors
The Warriors continued their record run by winning their 23rd game of the season against the up and rising Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night in Indianapolis. Andrew Bogut started and had one of his best games of the season by finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks on 7-8 from the field in 23 minutes of work. The most impressive statistic was that Bogut led all players in plus/minus by finishing with a +35 on the night.
After missing the Raptors game on Saturday night because of an injury, Andrew returned against the Nets on Sunday and picked up four rebounds and a block in 15 minutes of action. When Andrew is healthy, he’s a valuable piece to the NBA champions.
Damjan Rudež is back in the dog house in Minnesota after failing to get off the bench this week for the Wolves. The Croatian international will be hoping to get a chance against the struggling Lakers on Wednesday night.
Photo: Fox Sports
Sacramento Kings undrafted rookie, Duje Dukan, is still looking to make his NBA debut after playing a couple of games for the team’s NBA D-League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns. Duje looked on from the bench against Dallas, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Golden State this week.
~Allen Strk reporting from New York and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California
