There is something off about this team right now and it’s hard to know what it is. No, it is not your typical need- for-a-trade or short no-concern slump, this is much deeper than that. Recently, the Nets haven’t gone through highs and lows. It has been lows and lower lows. From getting embarrassed at MSG to getting into a tight contest with one of the best teams in the NBA in the Boston Celtics, to losing to 30 to a Los Angeles Clipper team that beat them by 59 just a year ago, something is different Time to break the chain.
Brooklyn will look to make that change tonight as they will take on the Phoenix Suns for the second time in eight days. This time, they will be in Phoenix, which is not a good sign considering the fact that the Suns are 14-6 at home. So the Nets will continue to fight their demons, this time in the desert, and hopefully come out alive. One battle after another.
Where To Watch
Check out the late night action at 9:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.
Injury Report
Noah Clowney will be out due to back soreness. Tyrese Martin is questionable due to left knee soreness. Two of the two ways — Tyson Etienne and Chaney Johnson — will report to Long Island. Ben Saraf is with Brooklyn as is E.J. Liddell.
Huge blow to the Suns as Devin Booker will sit out due to a right ankle injury he suffered in the Suns’ loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Jalen Green is again questionable, depending on how his hamstring feels.
Since these two teams played just a bit over a week ago, I’ll spare you the details. All you need to know is that the Suns are a well oiled machine. Thanks to our good old buddy and potential Coach of the Year candidate Jordan Ott, Phoenix has surprised many NBA fans by not only the amount of success they have accumulated, but also the amount of players who have developed immensely.
The difference with this preview is that Devin Booker won’t be one of the primary focuses of the Nets due to his injury. And even though the Suns are a well oiled machine, it’s be hard get to their destination without their engine. Without Booker, Phoenix’s offensive rating goes from 117.7 (6th in the league), to 102.1 (30th in the league). On the other end, their defensive rating goes from 113.0 (11th in the league), to 117.8 (26th in the league).
So now that we are aware of Booker’s impact, the Nets could have a shot in this one, hopefully. An official member of the NBA’s Rising Stars, Egor Demin, could see more success driven by confidence. With accolades like this on his resume, it also means that he has the right to take more shots, and not just from three. In the games against the Knicks and Celtics, Denim took four and seven shots, getting six points in both games. His aggression will be needed.
This also calls for MPJ to be more efficient. As he probably knows himself after a forgettable 3-of-11 performance against the Clippers in 22 minutes. I would like to see the rookies do their thing of course because…. I just want them to. I like when the Flatbush Five does well (Who doesn’t?)
Player To Watch: Collin Gillespie
In their last matchup, Gillespie killed the Nets. He scored 22 points on a very efficient 7-of-10 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Time and time again, Gillespie continues to prove how good he is despite being overlooked in the beginning of his career. For the season, he is averaging 13.4 points while shooting 42% from the 3-point line. And with Booker out, I feel like Gillespie will have the ball in his hands way more. Do not be surprised if he goes off.
The Vault:
As the draft gets closer and the Nets draft odds get higher expect to see more of this: large groups of scouts gathering in places like Provo, Lawrence, Chapel Hill and Durham. Last night’s BYU vs. Arizona matchup was a high level game featuring a few NBA lottery candidates. At the moment, Nets have the lottery pick with the fifth best odds of getting the overall No. 1 and three high seconds. Brooklyn fans, take your pick.
According to one league source, Brooklyn has the league’s biggest scouting corps and it recently hired Acie Law IV away from the Thunder to be scouting director, same job he held in OKC.
Brooklyn Nets Game Notes - Brooklyn Nets