Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
The Brooklyn Nets fell in triple overtime in Game four to the Chicago Bulls thanks in large part to the exceptional play of Nate Robinson, giving the Bulls a 3-1 lead in the series. The Nets will need back up guard C.J. Watson to give them more in his reserve minutes to counter Robinson, or the Nets will be quickly eliminated in their return to postseason play.
Watson signed on with Brooklyn last summer after the Bulls allowed him to walk away n free agency and he was able to play well for the Nets, averaging 6.8 points in 19 minutes per game. But with Robinson and Watson having obvious animosity against each other, Watson needs to match Robinson’s intensity as he has been outplayed by a large margin so far.
Robinson scored 34 points in 29 minutes in Game four and virtually carried the Bulls offensively in the fourth quarter and the overtime periods. In contrast, Watson only scored nine points in his 31 minutes of playing time and was unable to keep Robinson contained down the stretch. Watson even missed a key breakaway dunk that would have given the Nets an advantage going into the final minutes of the game.
Watson played well in game one of the series but has been less effective in every game since. Maybe the match up with Robinson is starting to affect his play. Or maybe he’s just not up to the task of performing well in playoff basketball — Watson made a key mistake that led to the Bulls first round exit last season.
Whatever the case my be, Watson will need to dig deep and give the Nets more production in Game five, or the Nets may be looking at an early exit and Watson looking for a new franchise this summer.
