Being at the top of the league in the latter is not a good thing. While the Nets had the highest opponent rate of opponent shots that came from between the restricted area and 3-point range, they also had the highest opponent field goal percentage on those shots in between.

Even at a league-high 42.6 percent, those shots in between were worth only 0.85 points per attempt -- far less than the value of restricted area or 3-point shots.

The Nets' bigger problem on defense was their inability to force turnovers. They forced just 12.3 per 100 possessions, the league's lowest rate by a pretty comfortable margin. According to Synergy, their opponent turnover rate (9.4 percent) on pick-and-roll ball-handler possessions was also the lowest rate in the league by far (and less than half the rate of three different teams).

Furthermore, only 50.4 percent of Brooklyn opponent turnovers, the league's second lowest opponent rate, were live balls. They had just one player (Caris LeVert -- 3.2) in the top 75 in deflections per 36 minutes. Fewer live balls result in fewer transition opportunities for an offense that ranked 22nd.

It wasn't just about deflecting the passes their opponents threw. It was also about not having their opponents throw that many passes. Brooklyn opponents recorded assists on just 52 percent of their field goals, the league's lowest rate and well below the league average of 59 percent.

The Nets have the framework of a good defense. The challenge now is getting more active and disruptive within that framework.

Note: Stats marked with an * below are based on possession estimates. All other stats are based on true possession counts.