Game 81 Preview Vs. Charlotte Bobcats
Apr 12, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Bobcats
While most teams are resting starters as the playoffs quickly approach, you won’t be seeing that tonight from Coach Larry Brown. Using my memory (which has been known to fail me), I don’t really remember coach Brown sitting his starters down the stretch, and I don’t expect that now. This means the Nets are going to be involved in a battle for their final game in the Meadowlands.
While the Nets don’t really have anything to play for, the Bobcats are fighting for playoff position, and for pride. The Nets have beat this Bobcats team twice already, and I can guarantee you they don’t want it to happen a third time. The Nets have beaten some solid teams, but the Bobcats are the best team they have beaten all year, and with them coming off of some rest, I see them pushing the Bobcats to the limit…onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Raymond Felton
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Stephon Jackson
Advantage: Stephon Jackson
Terrence Williams vs. Gerald Wallace
Advantage: Gerald Wallace
Yi vs. Boris Diaw
Advantage: Boris Diaw
Brook Lopez vs. Theo Ratliff
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 78 Preview Vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Apr 7, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Bucks
Before we look at tonight’s game, I just wanted to say I am feeling for the Bucks. I am a fan of Bogut (and of Coach Skiles), so I have been watching a lot of their games recently and they have been playing great. I really think that they could have done some damage in the playoffs if Bogut being injured. We would have also gotten to see a great matchup between two premier centers in Bogut and Brook.
With that being said, the Nets are coming off a bit of a disappointing result in a 10 point loss to the Wizards. However they have had 2 days off (while the Bucks are coming off of a battle against the Bulls), and the Nets actually play pretty well coming off of multiple days rest. The Bucks are a terrific defensive team, so the goal here is to not get down if you have some long stretches of scoreless basketball. The Nets also need to keep this game within 3-4 baskets. Anything more than that (even in the first quarter), and the Bucks are too good on the defensive end that they won’t let the Nets back into it. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Brandon Jennings
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. John Salmons
Advantage: John Salmons
Jarvis Hayes vs. Carlos Delfino
Advantage: Carlos Delfino
Yi vs. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Advantage: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Brook Lopez vs. Kurt Thomas
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 77 Preview Vs. Washington Wizards
Apr 4, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Wizards
First off, Happy Easter everyone! Today’s game isn’t going to be televised, which sucks, but it also makes you realize how lucky you are as a Nets fan that we have a station dedicated to playing Nets games. There are teams (good ones), who have a large chunk of go untelevised.
Anyway, onto the preview. Coming off their best performance of the year, the Nets now have another winnable game against the Washington Wizards. The Wizards have been struggling as of late (they just snapped a 16 game losing streak), and they might have provided the Nets with some poster-board material:
The above video is from the great Washington Wizards blog (and TrueHoop Network member) TruthAboutIt, and in it, Nick Young says “We ain’t trying to be like a New Jersey Net” (right around the 30 second mark). The Wizards have eked out a few wins against the Nets, but with the Nets playing some of their best basketball (and the Wizards playing some of their worst), I think the Nets can come away with this one. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Shaun Livingston
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Nick Young
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Jarvis Hayes vs. Mike Miller
Advantage: Mike Miller
Yi vs. Andray Blatche
Advantage: Andray Blatche
Brook Lopez vs. Fabricio Oberto
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 76 Preview Vs. New Orleans Hornets
Apr 3, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Hornets
After beating the Spurs and playing the Suns real tough for most of the game (except, surprise, the third quarter), the Nets are up against the Hornets who have Chris Paul back. However, the Hornets could be a little fatigued tonight. This is their second game in a row, and third in 4 days. We saw the effect of playing two games in a row (remember that game against Chicago?). I would like to see the Nets try and push the tempo today, especially since the Nets haven’t played since Wednesday (the Nets are pretty good with some days off). Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Chris Paul
Advantage: Chris Paul
Courtney Lee vs. Marcus Thornton
Advantage: Push
Terrence Williams vs. Morris Peterson
Advantage: Push
Yi vs. David West
Advantage: David West
Brook Lopez vs. Emeka Okafor
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 75 Preview Vs. Phoenix Suns
Mar 31, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Suns
The Nets have won 3 of their last 4 and have just gotten their 10th win, which means the avoid being known as the worst team of all time. I have been saying for quite a while now that once they get to 10, they will play looser and wins will be easier to come by. I still believe in my theory, I just don’t know if that is going to happen tonight though. The Suns ahve won their last 8 games, including a win over the Bulls, a team that just got done crushing the Nets.
Not only that, but the Suns’ style is really going to bother a Nets team that can’t but the ball in the basket. Look at the teams that like to run and gun like the Suns. You got the Hawks, the Warriors, and the Raptors (off the top of my head). Those three teams along with the Suns have given the Nets a world of trouble, and I expect that to continue tonight, but hey, at least the Nets won something (via Garbage Time All-Stars):
Awesome. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Steve Nash
Advantage: Steve Nash
Courtney Lee vs. Jason Richardson
Advantage: Push
Terrence Williams vs. Grant Hill
Advantage: Grant Hill
Yi vs. Amar’e Stoudemire
Advantage: Amar’e Stoudemire
Brook Lopez vs. Channing Frye
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 73 Preview Vs. Chicago Bulls
Mar 27, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Bulls
I talked about it at length this morning in my Thoughts On The Game, but I really expect the Nets to come out loose tonight. Combine that with the confidence they have from beating the Bulls’ earlier in the year and I think the Nets may be able to leave Chicago with a three game winning streak. The Nets should have everyone available and ready, but the Bulls are missing Luol Deng tonight. How important is he, well the last time these two teams played, Deng had 27 points and 9 rebounds (both team highs). I also expect Brook to have another big game as he should be matched up with Brad Miller. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs.Derrick Rose
Advantage: Push
Courtney Lee vs.Kirk Hinrich
Advantage: Kirk Hinrich
Terrence Williams vs. James Johnson
Advantage: Push
Yi vs. Taj Gibson
Advantage: Push
Brook Lopez vs. Brad Miller
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 72 Preview Vs. Detroit Pistons
Mar 26, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Pistons
The Nets are coming off of a big win against the Kings, and they look to get their first winning streak of the year going against the Pistons tonight. This is probably the best chance that they have to get their 9th win, and if they get it I am pretty positive the Nets are going to get to 10 wins. The Nets when faced with late game situations have played tight the whole year, but I think once they get to win #9, they will loosen up and play better.
As for tonight, Terrence Williams should be back in the lineup. Here is what Ben Couch has to say about it (via @netsbasketball):
Officially, @therealtwill is a gametime decision. But #fortherecord he was laying in 20-pound medicine balls with the big men. #nets
So with the Nets at full strength tonight, I like their chances. Onto the lineups (a quick one because I don’t want to jinx it).
Devin Harris vs. Will Bynum
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Richard Hamilton
Advantage: Push
Terrence Williams vs. Tayshaun Prince
Advantage: Tayshaun Prince
Yi vs. Jonas Jerebko
Advantage: Jonas Jerebko
Brook Lopez vs. Jason Maxiell
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 71 Preview Vs. Sacramento Kings
Mar 24, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Kings
Of the Nets remaining 12 games the Nets have 4 or 5 that seem to truly be winnable. Here is the first one of those games. The Kings are coming in without Tyreke Evans who is still recovering from a vicious elbow last week. Evans is their playmaker and has been flirting with triple-doubles over the past couple games he has played in (you can see his game against the Lakers here). Take him out of the equation and the Kings are still an ok team, but a beatable team.
The Nets looked ok their last time out, but had their third quarter blues yet again. Kiki has returned, but he is here with a heavy heart as his mother passed away this morning. Hopefully the Nets come out with an inspired effort against the Kings for him. Onto the lineups…(quick yet again. School is beating my ass right now)
Devin Harris vs. Beno Udrih
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Francisco Garcia
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Trenton Hassell vs. Donte Green
Advantage: Donte Green
Yi vs. Carl Landry
Advantage: Carl Landry
Brook Lopez vs. Spencer Hawes
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Game 68 Preview Vs. Toronto Raptors
Mar 20, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Raptors
Well, that game against the Sixers was a bit of a disappointment huh? That shouldn’t mean the Nets aren’t going to get to 10 wins. I am still pretty confident this team is going to get there, especially with Devin coming back. Oh yeah, Yi is coming back to. Yes, he struggles on the defensive end, but every couple games he will have a game where he hits his shots, and the Nets could use that scoring to put themselves over the top. We shall see what happens…onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Jose Calderon
Mark and I have been saying that the old Devin Harris has been back for a couple of weeks now, but the beat writers are starting to say the same thing. These guys are around the team more than we are (obviously), so if they are saying it,it tends to be true.
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. DeMar DeRozan
One of our commenters (can’t remember off the top of my head who) showed us some stats that say Lee plays better with Devin Harris in the lineup. Well, Devin is back tonight and this means more open shots for Courtney. More open shots means he can jump straight up on his shot, and that is where he has success.
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Terrence Williams vs. Hedo Turkoglu
Terrence Williams struggled in his first start in a while last game, but he had a really tough matchup in Andre Iguodala. Iguodala is one of the few guys who can match up Williams in terms of size, speed, and athleticism. Hedo is the better player at this time, and with his size he might get the better of Terrence on the offensive end, but when Terrence has the ball he should be able to use his speed to get some things done.
Advantage: Hedo Turkoglu
Yi vs. Chris Bosh
Yi is back, and he gets a very tough matchup in Chris Bosh. Bosh is one of the few Raptors playing really well as of late, and you can expect that to continue.
Advantage: Chris Bosh
Brook Lopez vs. Andrea Bargnani
Brook has been frustrated with his (and the teams) play as of late, and here is Devin’s take on it:
“Teams have been a little bit more aware,” Harris said. “He’s been more of the focal point of the offense. His catches aren’t as deep as they were earlier in the year. It’s probably both on myself and him – it’s kind of a partnership that way.
“We need to make more of a conscious effort that when he has deep position we need to give him the ball regardless of if he has an open shot or not. He’s our focal point in the paint. We need to first and foremost try to get him going and try and get the rest of the guys going.”
I have been saying this all year basically, so it is good that the team recognizes this. Hopefully they can make some adjustments to get him the ball down low.
Advantage: Push
Game 68 Preview Vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Mar 17, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Preview, Nets vs. Sixers
The Sixers vs. the Nets. That is going to be a whole lot of awfulness on one basketball court tonight. While most of you guys probably are going to read something about the Nets and how they compared to the 72-73 Sixers team (the one whose record the Nets are trying to avoid). Let’s focus on the Nets for a minute, though. How bad have the Nets been, well, as Matt McHale from Basketbawful points out, they are 30-70 since Devin Harris said those famous words “We knew we were going to be a playoff team” after the team’s 11-8 start last season. That’s bad…onto the lineups (quick ones today…sorry guys).
Devin Harris vs. Lou Williams
While Devin Harris didn’t play yesterday, I expect him to play tonight as this is as good a chance as any to get win #8. Lou Williams and Devin Harris are somewhat similar players. Williams isn’t a true point guard, but more of a scorer first, the same with Devin Harris. However, Devin has better point guard skills, he has better handle and better court vision which allows for his teams to get involved. I understand why the Sixers are trying to turn Lou Williams into a PG, but to me he just doesn’t have to court vision to be a good one (4.1 APG out of your starting PG isn’t any good).
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Jrue Holiday
Courtney Lee has the size on Jrue Holiday (Holiday is 6′1″ while Lee is 6′5″), and he should be able to get off his shot with ease. This is a good thing since Lee has been shooting well as of late, so more good looks = more points.
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Trenton Hassell vs. Andre Iguodala
In my opinion, this is the only position where the Sixers have a clear cut advantage. Hassell is still starting (though with Terrence Williams playing so well, his minutes may decline), and Andre Iguodala has the athleticism just to blow by Hassell every time. It is going to be interesting to watch Iguodala go up against Terrence Williams.
Advantage: Andre Iguodala
Josh Boone vs. Elton Brand
Elton Brand was a great player, but the injuries really slowed him down.
Advantage: Push
Brook Lopez vs. Samuel Dalembert
Dalembert is a terrific defender and a shot blocker, but I think Brook Lopez can use his size to his advantage here. If he is able to get his body into Dalembert’s he can negate his length and jumping ability. Allowing him to knock down easy buckets.
Advantage: Brook Lopez