Through four games of their first-round playoff series against the 76ers, the Nets have received the full NBA playoff experience. Center Jarrett Allen has been dropped twice by Flagrant 1 fouls from 76ers center Joel Embiid, Jared Dudley and 76ers star Jimmy Butler were ejected for their roles in a Game 4 melee after Embiid leveled Allen, and Nets GM Sean Marks was fined $25,000 and suspended for Game 5 Tuesday night at Wells Fargo Center after making a postgame visit to the officials' dressing room Saturday.
Dudley, who is in his 12th NBA season, has been at the center of much of the emotional drama, and his rivalry with 6-10 Philadelphia point guard Ben Simmons has been a critical factor in a series the 76ers lead 3-1. Following practice on Monday, Dudley embraced his role as the Nets' emotional leader going into a game they must win or see their season end.
"We started off well, and we've now faded a little bit," Dudley said of a series in which the Nets have lost three straight since winning the opener in Philadelphia. "So, we have to get back up and possibly get a second one to steal in Philly to get back to Brooklyn. I told these guys four years ago we did it in Milwaukee versus the Bulls. We won at Chicago and went back. So, young teams have done it before."
