When: 7:00 PM EST; Friday, January 16th, 2015
Where: Verizon Center; Washington, DC
TV: YES Network
As Brook Lopez trade rumors swirl around the internet, involving multiple teams and multiple players, the Nets still on the roster somehow have to focus for a game tonight as they attempt to finally end their seemingly endless seven-game losing streak.
Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the next two games on the slate are against the Washington Wizards and former Nets Paul Pierce and Kris Humphries. Washington has been one of the East’s top teams this season as star point guard John Wall has hit his stride as an elite playmaker. The Wizards and Nets have a home-and-home on Friday and Saturday, representing two more games the Nets cannot afford to lose.
On the Nets’ side, Deron Williams is still out and will be re-evaluated after the weekend while Kevin Garnett makes his return from a one-game suspension stemming from his “fight” with Dwight Howard in Monday’s loss to the Rockets. KG missed the Wednesday loss to the Grizzlies but will be needed tonight as Washington sports Nene and Marcin Gortat in its starting frontcourt.
Probable Lineups
BKN- Jarrett Jack (PG), Bojan Bogdanovic (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Kevin Garnett (PF), Mason Plumlee (C)
WAS- John Wall (PG), Bradley Beal (SG), Paul Pierce (SF), Nene Hilario (PF), Marcin Gortat (C)
Final Thoughts
The Nets are in a tough spot right now. They clearly aren’t very good–although they do have more than half a season left to turn around–and may miss the playoffs, but the Atlanta Hawks–who will make the playoffs–have the right to swap their inevitably worse first-rounder with the Nets’ better first-rounder.
So tanking is useless and winning has shown to be near impossible. Especially if the Nets trade Brook Lopez, which they probably will, this team needs to figure how to win some games really quickly or they’re going to give up a lottery pick to one of the East’s best teams. That’s not good.
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