Going into the second game of Round 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoff, Brooklyn Nets have taken an early lead, however, against a heavyweight like the Milwaukee Bucks there’s a lot more work left to be done.

However, this season, the Nets have been unfazed by any challenges. After bringing in James Harden, arguably one of the best shooting guards from Houston Rockets in January, the Nets were on track to challenge for the NBA title. 

With a 26-16 record in the Eastern Conference, Brooklyn finished just below Philidelphia 76ers at the second spot. Coach Steve Nash had at his disposal a lethal trio of Harden, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to call upon. 

Although Harden has been facing a few injury niggles lately, he chipped in with 24.6 points per game for the Nets in the regular season. Both Irving and Durant top-scored with 26.9 points per game. 

In the first round of the playoffs, the Nets came up against the Boston Celtics. The Jayson Tatum-led side was always meant to give a stiff fight, but the Nets were an uphill task. 

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Thanks to Durant, the Nets breezed past the Celtics in the first game and the rest of the series followed a similar turn. By the end of the fifth game of the best-of-seven series, Brooklyn were 4-1 up and cruised into the semis against the Bucks. 

Against Bucks, Harden might miss out on a few games given his injury niggles, but the Nets will still be a formidable side. But the likes of Joe Harris, Jeff Green and Blake Griffin will have to rise up to the occasion.