When: 7:30 PM EST; Tuesday, March 31st, 2015
Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES
With 10 games left in their season, it’s officially stretch time for the Brooklyn Nets as they battle with the likes of the Celtics, Hornets and tonight’s opponent–the Indiana Pacers–for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Obviously, every game for each team involved is as close to must-win as possible, but games between two of them–such as Tuesday’s game at Barclays–are doubly important.
10 days ago, a night after a thrilling triple-overtime win at home against the Bucks, the Nets went into Indianapolis needing a win over the Pacers to keep pace–pun intended–in their dogfight to reach the postseason. Surprisingly, even following the long night the day before, the Nets shot over 60 percent from the field en route to a huge 123-111 victory, bringing them within a half-game of Indy and evening up the season series.
Now, Brooklyn is a half-game above the Pacers and can win the season series, pick up a crucial tiebreaker and gain some ground on the Celtics and Hornets as well with a victory tonight. Since Boston and Charlotte don’t play until tomorrow, the Nets–with a win–will be the outright No. 8 seed in the East.
Probable Lineups
IND- George Hill (PG), C.J. Miles (SG), Solomon Hill (SF), David West (PF), Roy Hibbert (C)
BKN- Deron Williams (PG), Markel Brown (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
Final Thoughts
Some good news for the Nets is that Thaddeus Young–who has been out with a knee injury since this past Wednesday–will return tonight and does not have a minutes restriction. Deron Williams–who has been dealing with an illness for the past few days–is also a go. The Pacers, winners of just three of their last 10 games, will have Rodney Stuckey–a gametime decision–as well.
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