The Nets really struggle defending the interior

One of the key differences in this game for the Bucks was that they were able to take advantage of the Brooklyn Nets poor interior defense. Brooklyn has been better defending the perimeter, but on the inside, they are extremely vulnerable and the Bucks exposed them for this. 

The Bucks outscored the Nets 48-32 in the paint and while Brooklyn outrebounded them, it seemed like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Middleton and Holiday were able to get to their spots on the court with ease and for Antetokounmpo, he was able to use his size and length to attack the basket every chance he got. 

Antetokounmpo scored 49 points in the game, but 27 of his points were scored in the paint. In the playoffs, teams like the 76ers, Knicks and Bucks are going to continue to try and attack Brooklyn in the paint, which is why they need to tighten things up defensively. 

DeAndre Jordan is more than capable of being a big body down low that can contest shots and veteran Jeff Green can hold his own against bigger guys, but Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and the other wings/perimeter players need to do a better job of collapsing on their opponents and not letting them reach the paint. 

READ MORE: 3 major records that have been set this NBA season

Too many times, it seemed like Irving and Durant gave up on a play defensively to try and make up for it on offense. At full strength with Harden on the court, this may work since they can score at will, but the Nets defense was exposed last night and will continue to be unless they make the necessary adjustments.