Game 82 Preview Vs. Miami Heat
Apr 14, 2010 2009-2010 Open Threads, Game Previews, Nets vs. Heat
The Nets played the Bobcats pretty tough throughout the night, but they just outclassed them in the end. The Bobcats played their starters that game, however, tonight the Miami Heat may not be doing the same. Ira Winderman has the info:
Based on shootaround, it looks like no Wade, no Jermaine and no Udonis tonight against Nets. Milwaukee seemingly to determine its own fate.
I didn’t like the Nets chances of getting 13 this morning, but after reading that, I am starting to like them more and more. It is going to be interesting how Kiki goes about this rotation tonight. Last game he gave Chris Quinn loads of minutes, will guys like Bobby Simmons and Josh Boone get minutes tonight? Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Carlos Arroyo
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Dorell Wright
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Terrence Williams vs. Quentin Richardson
Advantage: Quentin Richardson
Yi vs. Michael Beasley
Advantage: Michael Beasley
Brook Lopez vs. Joel Anthony
Advantage: Brook Lopez
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 80 Preview Vs. Indiana Pacers
Apr 10, 2010 2009-2010 Open Threads, Game Previews, Nets vs. Pacers
Well, the Nets really took it to a team that needed a win last night, proving me wrong on my prediction for the final 4 games. Let’s see if they can do it again as they take on the Pacers. Both the Nets and the Pacers played a game last night, but the Nets were involved in a 2OT game with the starters (and T-Will) playing loads of minutes (they all logged 40+ last night). With the Pacers playing well and with the Nets’ fatigued this could get ugly as Kiki and the Nets might have to rely on their bench to take this one. The Nets’ bench can’t really do that. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Earl Watson
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Brandon Rush
Advantage: Courtney Lee
Jarvis Hayes vs. Danny Granger
Advantage: Danny Granger
Yi vs. Troy Murphy
Advantage: Troy Murphy
Brook Lopez vs. Roy Hibbert
Advantage: Push
Game 79 Preview Vs. Chicago Bulls
Apr 9, 2010 2009-2010 Open Threads, Game Previews, Nets vs. Bulls
The Nets are coming off a pretty disappointing performance against the Bucks, and I expect that trend to continue tonight against the Bulls. It’s not that the Bulls are much more talented than the Nets (I mean, they had tons of trouble beating a LeBron-less Cavs team), but they are fighting for something. That something is the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Nets on the other hand, don’t really have nothing to play for. While they are playing looser (in my opinion), they aren’t really playing with the same hunger as they were since they won magical #10. Playing looser is good in close games, but unfortunately the Nets haven’t been in any recently. The Bulls are coming off a back-to-back while the Nets are coming off of a day of rest, so that may be a factor. Onto the lineups:
Devin Harris vs. Derrick Rose
Advantage: Devin Harris
Courtney Lee vs. Kirk Hinrich
Advantage: Push
Jarvis Hayes vs. Luol Deng
Advantage: Luol Deng
Yi vs. Taj Gibson
Advantage: Taj Gibson
Brook Lopez vs. Joakim Noah
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