The Brooklyn Nets heaped more pressure on their Friday night showdown against the Washington Wizards than would normally accompany a late-December road game against a bad team. But the Nets asked for it, given the blatant and extreme load managing they subjected fans to in their previous game, as well as a significant lineup change instituted in Washington.
Jacque Vaughn sent Cam Thomas back to the bench in favor of Dorian Finney-Smith, and while something had to be done about Brooklyn’s fledgling starting lineup, benching Thomas was no minor adjustment. Sure, it did mean a return to a five-man lineup that’s played quite well this season, but the 22-year-old is a fan-favorite leading the Nets in scoring during a non-contending season.