Spencer Dinwiddie, Nets look to solve shooting issues in Game 3 at home

BROOKLYN — Spencer Dinwiddie spent part of Wednesday looking back at his shots from the Nets’ Game 2 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. As he watched he started to notice a pattern with some of the shots he was getting.

The Nets as a team struggled to knock down shots in Monday’s loss, but Dinwiddie in particular struggled. If Brooklyn is hoping to pull out a win in Game 3 (Thursday, 7:30 p.m on YES Network and TNT) they’ll need Dinwiddie’s shots to start falling.

“I was actually looking at my shots right now on film. Most of the ones I’ve taken have been like late clock, sub-5 seconds on the shot clock,” Dinwiddie said after practice on Wednesday. “So obviously any of those are gonna be tougher shots and it’s on me to convert some of those and be able to save some of those plays.”

Dinwiddie shot just 5-of-14 from the field in Game 2, though he did start to see some shots fall late in the game. He’s been held below his 17.7 points per game average that he saw during the regular season in the first two games of the series as it shifts back to Brooklyn.

He’s been averaging 16.5 points and 9.1 assists per game since arriving in Brooklyn via the Kyrie Irving trade in February.

Dinwiddie’s shooting hasn’t been the Nets’ only issue, but since he plays such a big role as the team’s floor general, his struggles have played a factor.

“There’s a lot of things that go through your mind in terms of trying to be a quarterback out there,” Bridges said. “Sometimes you make the right decision, sometimes you make the wrong one. Overall, I mean, this team needs me to get in the paint and typically make plays passing-wise. I think we’ve been at our best this season when I’ve been able to do that.”

Part of what the Nets preached again on Wednesday was the need to up the tempo of the game. Brooklyn was more successful on Monday when they moved the ball quickly in transition to create better looks.

That was evident in the first half of Game 2 when the Nets built a 49-44 lead going into the half. Head coach Jacque Vaughn also believed the quicker pace benefited Dinwiddie.

But the Nets coach cautioned it goes beyond just Dinwiddie.

“I think we can play faster. It is without a doubt we’re playing below the pace that we averaged during the season, Vaughn said. “So we have to increase that. So that’s not only Spencer, but that’s everybody. We need help rebounding the basketball and so that is everybody. So Spencer and the rest of the players all fit underneath that bucket.

“The shots that he’s had, his ability to get to the paint for us. Do we all want more? But I think we all want more from all the guys.”

The Nets are back at home for the playoffs for the first time this series and the first time since last year’s Game 4 against the Boston Celtics. They’re hoping to get a boost from being back at Barclay Center in front of the home fans.

Vaughn even hinted that the return to Brooklyn could open the door for some of the younger players to get more time, like Cam Thomas and Day’Ron Sharpe.

“Just historically young guys have not played well on the road just in an environment like that,” Vaughn said. “So we get the chance to come home, some of those young guys slept in their own bed and they probably feel a little more confident playing in Game 3.”