Michael Porter Jr. is making an All-Star case as he sparks a turnaround in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn Nets are on a winning streak. After Monday’s win over the Charlotte Hornets, the Nets fell Chicago Bulls113-103, on Wednesday at the United Center. Once again, it was Michael Porter Jr. leads the way.

Porter Jr. had a career-high 33 points, ten rebounds and five assists on 10-of-20 shooting. The Nets led by as many as 19 in the fourth quarter, holding the Bulls to 38-of-90 (42.2 percent) shooting and forcing 16 turnovers.

“We’re on a winning streak! Yes, sir,” Porter said IES Network postgame. “I just think we’re getting better. We’re starting to learn how to play with each other. We’re starting to get continuity. We’re starting to get sets that we can get into quickly when things get tough. That’s what was missing in the beginning. I just think everybody’s kind of finding their rhythm.”

Porter Jr.’s performance in Chicago comes after he scored 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the field and 7-of-11 from three in Brooklyn’s win over Charlotte.

Michael Porter Jr. is fueling the Nets’ recent progress in a key offensive role

The Nets averaged 114.5 points and 31.5 assists on 47/40/80 in the pair of wins. Porter Jr. was the engine, with supporting pieces such as Noah Clowney, Nick Claxton, Egor Demin and Danny Wolf playing key roles.

“We enjoy playing with each other,” Porter Jr. said. “Me and Clax kind of had a good handoff connection. He sets good screens, (and) I’m able to shoot the ball. We just create confusion (for the defense). And then if I draw some defenders, then Noah might get open. Then we have Yegor, who can also shoot. So I just think it’s better that we played better, we’ll be fun for sure.

After an 0-7 start, the Nets have gone 5-7 in Porter Jr.’s last 12 starts. Forward movement off the ball and goal gravitas fueled Brooklyn’s dramatic improvement.

Porter Jr. is averaging 27.6 points (11th in the NBA), 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 50/41/83 shooting over the last 12 games. His 64.4 true shooting percentage during that span ranks third among 15 players who attempt more than 18 shots per game, trailing only Shia Gilgeous-Alexander (69.4) and Stephen Curry (65.6).

Doc Porter Jr. joined the Nets as a salary dump from the Denver Nuggets this summer, he enters the All-Star conversation early this season. Jordy Fernandez, who coached Porter Jr. for two seasons in Denver, doesn’t put a ceiling on the 27-year-old’s potential.

“I think he’s going to get better and better,” Fernandez said after Wednesday’s game. “I think right now it’s less dancing, more finishing, more simplicity… The line is amazing. He led us in rebounding with 10 total rebounds, nine defensively. Making shots. We all know that, but he just creates so much attention, and then he opens up the three-point line for others, and he touches the paint. So (it’s all him).

“If he has to play 33 minutes instead of 38 because he’s playing (with) constant cutting and moving and then defensively, he’s in the right place, he chest drives, he rebounds, he’s engaged, (that’s fine). I’m very happy to see the growth, and I believe he’s going to continue to grow and have fun.”

Porter Jr. was not alone in his production in Chicago. After shooting 0-of-5 in the first half, Clowney drained 6-of-7 three-point attempts in the second half. Claxton had another well-rounded performance, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three blocks on 6-of-7 shooting.

“It was a defensive tackle at first,” Porter Jr. said. “Then we started hitting. And then when they started coming back a little bit, I thought our guys hit some timely shots. Noah Clowney (hit threes). Nick had a big layup and one, timely possession. I thought it was a complete four-quarter win.”

Brooklyn’s rookies also continued to show promise during the win. Demin had 10 and four assists on 3-of-8 shooting in 25 minutes. Wolf added eight points, four rebounds and three assists on 3-of-5 shooting in 24 minutes off the bench in his return. Both hit timely 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter to stop the Bulls’ run.

Ben Saraf added six points and three assists on 2-of-3 shooting in 14 minutes. And Drake Powell had five points and two assists on 2-of-5 shooting in 13 minutes.