When: 8:00 PM EST; Wednesday, February 25th, 2015
Where: Smoothie King Center; New Orleans, LA
TV: YES
With their eight-game road trip winding down, the Nets–winners of two in a row since the All-Star break–are in New Orleans to take on the Pelicans, who have also won two straight even though Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson are all out with an assortment on injuries.
Brooklyn has beaten two bad teams in the Lakers and Nuggets over the past few days, as Thaddeus Young’s presence on the team–along with increased playing time for rookies Cory Jefferson and Markel Brown–has energized the once-lifeless bunch, and even Deron Williams is starting to play well. Things are looking up, even though Thomas Robinson is going to Philly, not Brooklyn.
The Pelicans have been playing well lately, without some of their top players, though. Monty Williams’ team–behind strong play from former Heat point guard Norris Cole–has knocked off Miami and slumping Toronto and has been very good at home this season, with a 18-10 record at Smoothie King Center (actual name). They might be missing Davis, former Net Anderson and former 76er Holiday, but the Pelicans have enough weapons and depth to be a very tough team to beat.
Probable Lineups
BKN- Deron Williams (PG), Markel Brown (SG), Alan Anderson (SF), Joe Johnson (PF), Mason Plumlee (C)
NOP- Tyreke Evans (PG), Eric Gordon (SG), Quincy Pondexter (SF), Dante Cunningham (PF), Omer Asik (C)
Final Thoughts
Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle) is still out for the Nets but Jarrett Jack, who missed the last two games with a sore hamstring, will return tonight and will play limited minutes off the bench, leaving D-Will as a starter. It appears as if the rest of Lionel Hollins’ small-ball starting lineup will remain the same, leaving Joe Johnson at the four and Alan Anderson at the three. It’s innovative and risky, but it’s exactly what Jason Kidd did last year to turn the Nets around.
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