NBA Power Rankings: The Clippers keep coming

The Nets got 22 points from DeMarre Carroll on Monday against the Knicks, but just 35 points from the other four starters as the team shot 37 percent in a 119-104 loss to their division rivals. Spencer Dinwiddie went 2-for-14 in the game, finishing with just eight points in 28 minutes. “To a certain extent, it’s a make-or-miss league,” he said after the game. “As a unit, we shot in the 30s. That’s not very good.” The Nets didn’t get a break in their next game, with LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs rolling through Brooklyn and picking up a 100-95 win. Allen Crabbe had 20 points, but the next highest scorer in the starting lineup was DeMarre Carroll with 11 points.

The Nets built a defensive wall against the Heat, and improved to 11-1 this season when limiting their opponent to under 100 points in a 101-95 win over the Miami Heat. Carroll continued his strong play of late, with a career-high 26 points. Caris LeVert was big for the Nets too, with a clutch basket late helping protect the lead. They also got D’Angelo Russell back, but the Nets are limiting him to under 20 minutes a game. Russell played 14 minutes against the Heat, and just 14 minutes against the Pistons on Sunday. The Nets were able to pick up a win Sunday too, helping them split the week 2-2. Dinwiddie was able to have a nice game against the Pistons guards, a unit that is sorely missing Reggie Jackson, with 22 points on 13 field goal attempts.