Nets Are Scorching

The Nets kept it close through 2 and a half quarters, but at the end of the day, it was another 20 point loss for the Nets as they drop to 3-38.  The Nets were able to keep the Suns running and gunning style in check during the first half, but the second half was a different story.

• The Suns started running zone with about 6 minutes left in the 3rd and they basically ran it the rest of the game.  That is where they pulled away.
• If the Nets were going to beat the Suns, tonight was their chance, they only hit 4 total threes.
• CDR had another off night, only attempting 4 shots.  If it makes you feel any better, he did shoot 50% on those 4 attempts.  He finished with 4 points.
• It was really fun watching Brook and Robin Lopez go at each other (I got a kick out of them banging each other after one Brook dunk).  Brook had a big time game going for 26 and 13 on 12-22 shooting.
• Kris Humphries continues to play well, making Josh Boone almost obsolete.  He finished with 9 points and 7 minutes.
• Call me crazy, but this was a pretty good permormance by the Nets.  If they can play like this against Golden State, they got a shot.

After tonight, the season will be exactly have way done for the Nets, and we only have three wins right now.  Wow…I knew we wouldn’t have a lot of wins, but this is crazy.  Anyway, against the Suns, I like the Nets chances of keeping it close.  The Suns are coming in on a four game losing streak (doesn’t it seem like the Nets are always going up against teams that are struggling, yet they get destroyed?).  The Suns love to run up and down the floor and shoot the three, if they are making their shot, the Nets are in trouble.  If not, the Nets have a chance, even if they fall behind early.  The Suns are notorious for getting big leads and squandering them because they don’t change their style of play.  They are running and gunning all game long.  Onto the lineups!

Devin Harris vs. Steve Nash

This is going to be a very tough match-up for Steve Nash.  Nash loves to penetrate and explore options.  Despite his speed, Devin Harris has trouble stopping penetration.  I think Nash could put up a 15+ assist game tonight if his teammates are hitting shots.

Advantage:  Steve Nash

Courtney Lee vs. Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson is having a pretty good year, but he has really turned into more of a spot up shooter as he ages.  He is shooting 38% from three, so you need to close out on him.  He can still drive though, but he looks for his shot more than anything.  I think Lee will be able to contain him, especially if Lee is aggressive on the offensive end, forcing Richardson to work on both sides of the court.

Advantage:  Jason Richardson

Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Grant Hill

CDR has really been lacking an aggression the past couple of games, and I hope that changes tonight.  Hill is a great comeback story, but he doesn’t have the legs to keep up with an aggressive CDR.  If CDR decides to attack the basket, I can see him having a pretty big game.

Advantage:  Push

Yi vs. Amar’e Stoudemire

This is going to be a tough match-up for Yi on both ends.  Amar’e is athletic enough to keep with Yi on the outside and strong enough not to let him post up on the inside.  Plus on the offensive end, Amar’e is just a monster on the low block.  Yi is going to be in trouble here.

Advantage:  Amar’e Stoudemire

Brook Lopez vs. Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez got the first start of his career last game and he responded by putting up a career high 19 points.  The Suns inserted Robin Lopez in place of Channing Frye because they want to add a little bit of size.  Frye still will be getting a lot of minutes, and he is still very dangerous from 3.  I would imagine that when Frye enters, Yi will match-up on him and Brook will match up to Stoudemire.

Advantage:  Brook Lopez

Here he is folks. From last Wednesday’s game against the Celtics, Hump’s debut with the Nets, this is one of the first professional photos taken of Humphries in a Nets uniform.

This game was lost on the defensive end.  So we are going to look at three different possessions where the defense is lacking.  You are going to notice some general themes that have been apparent all season.  Check the breakdown out after the jump:

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Tonight in Phoenix, there’s going to be a double dipping of Lopez’s.

Devin Harris talks to Dave D. about the team’s lack of intensity: “I love being in battle with these guys,” Harris said from the US Airways Center practice gym, where the Nets prepared for Wednesday’s game against the Suns. “But there are certain marks in a game – and every team goes through it – where there may be a three-minute mark, where you don’t play well and your teammates do.

Kiki Vandeweghe agrees in Fred Kerber’s version: “I think it’s very clear we don’t play hard,” said Vandeweghe.

Not counting Nets basketball games, the Izod Center is actually a pretty successful arena.

Mikhail Prokhorov: prospective owner of the Nets, electric car pioneer.