If the Brooklyn Nets are not in desperation mode just yet, they should probably get there. The team was not competitive in the first two games against the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs and now they run the risk of going down 3-0 if they cannot get a win at home. The team has hung well when playing at home in the Barclays Center and if there is ever a time to take advantage of the home crowd, it is now.
The Nets have struggle, but more importantly their highest paid players have struggled. In Game 1, Kevin Garnett was essentially not involved. In Game 2, Deron Williams was held scoreless. As the Miami Heat continue their scoring spree, the lack of production come from key Brooklyn players must change or the team is at risk of getting swept out of the second round completely.
Williams who is one of the highest paid players in Brooklyn went 0 for 9 in the worst game of his career. Garnett went 2 for 8 after going scoreless in Game 1. Meanwhile, the Heat have tied their franchise record with eight straight playoff wins and are ready to make it nine on Saturday. James is averaging 22 points a game and has one at least one road game in every playoff series since joining the Miami Heat.
The Nets still hold hope that their regular-season success against the Heat will begin to be a factor again. The team is well-aware the time to win is now. Their aging roster can only hold out for so long as both Garnett and Paul Pierce do not have many seasons left in them. Throughout the postseason they have let their age show, struggling against the youth of the Toronto and now the athleticism of the Heat.
The Nets remained competitive in Game 2 despite the lack of activity from Williams and Garnett. However, the team fell apart in the fourth quarter, giving away several possessions, allowing the Heat to have three straight offensive rebounds and pulled away in the final minutes. If the Nets are going to win, Williams must play to his $98.5 million contract size. He has been passing the ball just fine, but a lack of points hurt Brooklyn. Garnett is in the same boat.
There has not been a team in NBA history down 0-3 that has come back to win the series. The Nets might have a roster of experience and grit, but age is becoming a factor. Brooklyn is 1-10 against Miami in the postseason. If they are going to change that, it must start now.