3 Nets that need to step up with injuries to Kyrie Irving and James Harden

2. Bruce Brown

Nets fans may not have forgiven Bruce Brown for his decision-making late in Game 3 yet.

Twice in the final half-minute of action with Brooklyn, Brown took a shot instead of getting the ball to Durant or Irving. Egregiously, he drove for a layup with six seconds to go, down one. He missed and the Nets went on to lose.

Hero ball from Brown isn’t the answer, especially with Durant and Irving on the floor. However, the latter may not be there in Game 5, and if he is, he may be hobbled. Brown will have opportunities to make up for his earlier mistakes.

The goal isn’t to do what Harden or Irving can as scorers. Instead, Brown has to step up in other ways.

In 21 minutes in Game 4, he had just 1 rebound. He’s averaged 6.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs, so Brooklyn knows he can get a whole lot more on the boards.

Brown can also make a difference on the defensive end. Khris Middleton had 35 points in Game 3 and 19 points in Game 4, both Bucks victories. Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to get his, but Milwaukee being able to rely on that kind of production from Middleton is a problem. It’s up to Brown to slow him down considerably.