For personnel and scheming reasons, the Nets have been among the worst teams in basketball in getting to the free-throw line.
A team that no longer has superstars such as Kevin Durant (who is harassed each game) and Kyrie Irving (who can slice up defenses and create contact at the rim) has found more shots beyond the 3-point arc but, in connection, fewer at the charity stripe.
The Nets entered Friday’s off day averaging the second-fewest attempts (19.2) at the line this season, beating only the pitiful Spurs.
Thursday’s return of Cam Thomas — who can break down a defender and fight his way to the line — offered some hope to Jacque Vaughn that the Nets can begin to create more easy shots.
“If we can narrow in on one thing, it’s the free-throw attempt rate,” Vaughn said before the Nets lost to the Hornets on Thursday. “Cam Thomas has the ability to do that. That helps your defense, that helps your offense, and that’s an area that we can continue to improve on.”
The Nets’ leader at free-throw attempts this season has been Mikal Bridges, followed by Spencer Dinwiddie.
Thomas, who returned from a nine-game layoff because of an ankle sprain, has been best at getting to the line when he is on the floor, averaging 6.3 attempts per game.
The Nets do not have the superstars who more naturally find their way to easy points and they run an offense that creates looks from deep.
They entered play Friday averaging 39.4 shots from beyond the arc per game, the seventh-most in the NBA.
A focus on shots from a far range will result in a tougher time getting to the foul line.
But the Nets are hopeful they can begin to move up the rankings at the line.
“He’ll be able to help,” Vaughn said of Thomas.
Lonnie Walker IV (left hamstring strain) will miss the Nets’ matchup with the Magic on Saturday at Barclays Center.
This will be the first game Walker, who has been a nice find off the bench, has missed since sitting out the season opener.
Dennis Smith Jr. (lower back sprain), who has missed six straight games, has been upgraded to probable.
Royce O’Neale (left hip contusion), who was scratched from Thursday’s loss, was not on the injury report and should make his return.
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