Brooklyn Nets player grades: Nets end preseason with win over Timberwolves

The Brooklyn Nets had one more chance to gain momentum going into their season opener versus the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. A youthful Minnesota Timberwolves team, who came into the matchup 3-0 in preseason play, stood in the way.

Fortunately for the Nets, a scorching hot Joe Harris was pumped and ready. He led the way for with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting accuracy from the field on the way to a 107-101 victory. Seven of those shots were threes.

Brooklyn managed to maintain the lead for most of the game. Their largest lead was 16. Kevin Durant (19 PTS, 7 REBS) and Nicolas Claxton (11 PTS, 7 REBS) showed out in the win as well. Thanks to the team’s efficient 46% shooting from the field and 42% accuracy from three, Minnesota failed to keep up.

Anthony Edwards (23 PTS) had a strong showing for his team on the other side. The Timerberwolves did also cause havoc defensively too, accumulating 15 steals on their way to forcing 19 Brooklyn turnovers. They were almost rewarded for their efforts when found a way to trim the deficit to two with under a minute left. Of course though, it wasn’t enough.

James Harden, who only scored six points in the contest, dished out 14 assists, making it an emphasis to get his teammates in rhythm. It was only right with the regular season around the corner.

Kevin Durant: A-

Kevin Durant had a solid outing going 8-of-16 from the field to score 19 points. In the process, he also grabbed seven rebounds. With his minutes ramping up to 32, the most he has played in preseason, Durant made his presence known in each and every minute. Even when he did not have the ball. His plus-minus of +18 reflected that as well.

James Harden: B+

James Harden was facilitating so eloquently that Minnesota’s defense had no answer for him. Whether he was threading the needle off of the pick and roll, throwing an outlet on the fast break or just setting up shooters on the perimeter, the Nets star found a way to create a passing lane.

Harden took only seven shots throughout his 30 minutes of game time, which is unlike the 32-year-old. Still, he gets a pass because it is the preseason.

Joe Harris: A+

Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris is locked in at the right time. It may be the headband responsible for all this or it may be just Harris warning us for his revenge tour. Going 7-of-10 from three is only going to force defenses to panic because the 30-year-old is not the priority defensively for any opposing team. It’s Kevin Durant and James Harden until Kyrie Irving comes back of course.

If Harris continues to shoot with this type of accuracy, teams are going to be scratching their heads trying to find solutions to stop Brooklyn’s offense.

Paul Millsap: A

Paul Millsap did everything he was brought to the Nets to do in this game. Space the floor, grab rebounds and impact the team with veteran leadership. He sprinkled a sneaky poster dunk in there too, catching Taurean Prince off guard. Millsap finished the game with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Nicolas Claxton: A

Nicolas Claxton was extremely active defensively versus the Timberwolves, in a game where head coach Steve Nash chose him to start at center. The young big man stormed to the perimeter when needed and in the interior, he was making it difficult for Karl-Anthony Towns all night.

Offensively, Claxton was crashing the glass and making himself a clear option off of the pick and roll with James Harden. He was rewarded with some easy buckets at the rim on his way to 11 points and seven rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge: C+

We get it, LaMarcus Aldridge was playing in a preseason game and it’s been months since he last played in the NBA before this month. However, the team could not get stops when he was in the game. Despite scoring 16 points in 23 minutes, he ended the game with a plus-minus of -26.

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