The Brooklyn Nets do not look like a playoff team, despite the exciting finish to a disappointing game.

JOEY
BUCKETS
DELIVERS
Down 2. Our ball. 09.1 seconds left.#WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/iIGqYWB4TF
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2020

After arguably their worst loss of the season against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night, the Nets followed it up with another poor showing against the Miami Heat on Saturday. The Heat won 116-113, but the game never felt as close as the final score implies. Even as Brooklyn erased the lead in the final minutes, the specter of their inability to execute in tight late-game situations hung over the team like a cloud.

The defense that only a few weeks ago looked to be a strong point for this squad has now been nonexistent in back-to-back games. The team is 1-5 since the All-Star break, and with the schedule only becoming more brutal down the stretch, now may seem like an appropriate time to panic. Brooklyn has seven games remaining against Boston, Milwaukee, and both the Lakers and Clippers.

Up top to The Fro!@SDinwiddie_25 ↗️ @_bigjayy_ pic.twitter.com/mWbdvQve6o

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2020

The positive spin is in the run that the Nets made to close the gap toward the end of the game. Big shots and plays from Joe Harris and Spencer Dinwiddie brought the team right to the brink of victory before they fell back into the sloppy offense in the final minutes that has become a signature of the Nets’ season.

The final score was close, yes, but this flat performance is not acceptable for a team that has the playoffs as its goal, with a competitive fire that has seemingly gone out. This is the part of the season where determination and heart are put on display.

Last year’s roster had it in spades, and this team desperately needs to find it.

Spencer Dinwiddie

C+

The stats: 25 PTS, 7-15 FG, 2-7 3PT, 9-10 FT, 4 REB, 12 AST, 3 TO, 32 MIN

Spencer Dinwiddie is not perfect, but at least he is trying.

Spence hits The Fro @SDinwiddie_25 ↘️ @_bigjayy_ pic.twitter.com/lwoeYaJeAg

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2020

It is disheartening to watch a team slowly fall behind and lose without putting up much of a fight. Sure, Spence will take bad shots, turn the ball over, and miss defensive assignments from time to time. But, he will also bring energy every night and do whatever he can to help the Nets. That is a fire that not every other player on the roster has.

Yes, his turnover on the final possession was atrocious. Yet without him, the team would have lost by 20.

Jarrett Allen

C

The stats: 17 PTS, 7-8 FG, 3-4 FT, 11 REB, 0 TO, 28 MIN

Jarrett Allen has been trending downward over the past month, but he had a decent bounce-back performance on Saturday.

Fro putback with AUTHORITY ?@_bigjayy_ | #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/VGQE7L2rI6

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2020

He is still struggling to play with the improved physicality that he showcased earlier this season, but Allen at least found his place in the offense against the Heat. Being able to play around the rim on both sides of the floor is just what the team needs from him. Now the next step is to improve the rebounding, and that is a team job.

Joe Harris

A-

The stats: 20 PTS, 7-15 FG, 5-9 3PT, 1-2 FT, 4 REB, 3 AST, 0 TO, 31 MIN

Joe Harris is everything good about the Nets personified.

Hit the three ?
Pump the fist ? pic.twitter.com/iTsyszgNMY

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) March 1, 2020

He works hard, hustles, and shows up every night. He does the dirty work on the court that does not get much attention, like setting good screens and consistently boxing out. He also hits the clutch shots that nearly drags the team back into the game single-handedly. It could be catastrophic to let him walk in free agency.