With the NBA All-Star break ending, the Nets come out of the layoff Thursday against Portland. And despite exceeding expectations before the break, they’re going to have to tighten up their game to survive the league’s third-toughest schedule in the second half.
The Nets are clinging to the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Coach Kenny Atkinson has long been looking warily at a nasty seven-game, 17-day road swing looming next month. Before they get to that, it would behoove the Nets to cash in on playing seven of their next 10 games at Barclays Center.
“Listen, it’s always important to play well at home,” Atkinson said.