‘Spark plug’ Dennis Smith Jr. gives Nets added boost vs. Magic
NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Smith Jr. had missed the past six games while he was dealing with a lower back sprain that he picked up sometime in the middle of November. He came back to the lineup on Saturday in a huge way.
“Spark plug, bringing energy,” Smith said about what he was trying to bring to the Nets after putting up a near triple-double of 10 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists in Saturday’s 129-101 win over the Orlando Magic. Smith played a little over 20 minutes in the contest and he was all over the court for virtually every second for his time on the floor. He had his own plan for how he wanted to return to the team.
“Really no other agenda than just trying to win games,” Smith said. “Just come and try to have (an) impact and be a good point of attack defender for our team, I think that’s important.”
Coming into Saturday’s beatdown of the Magic, the most points Smith scored in a game this season was 14, the most rebounds was four, and the most assists was seven. He played so well that he blew his season-high in rebounds out of the water and almost eclipsed his season-high in points assists if he played long enough.
