When: 7:30 PM EST; Friday, April 3rd, 2015
Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES
Winners of five games in a row–a season-high–the Brooklyn Nets have gone from 11th in the Eastern Conference, on the outside looking in at the playoff race, to seventh, ahead of the the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, who are both a half-game back and tied for eighth.
Tonight in Brooklyn, the Nets have their biggest challenge in awhile against the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Raptors. Toronto has long since clinched the division title but hasn’t played well in over a month. Now, starting point guard Kyle Lowry is out with a back injury as Dwane Casey’s team attempts to get back on track before the postseason begins later this month.
The Nets will look to even up their season series at two games apiece with the Raptors–whom Brooklyn famously took down in seven games in the first round of the postseason last year (remember these?). A win, aside from some pride, would give them some breathing room in terms of positioning.
The Pacers and Hornets–in the 10th and 11th spots currently–are playing each other and whoever loses is more or less eliminated from overcoming the Nets, as Brooklyn holds the tiebreaker over both. The Heat are idle, so the Nets could potentially go up a full game over them with a victory. Finally, the Celtics host the No. 6 Bucks. A loss for Boston coupled with a Nets win would put 1.5 games between the teams.
Probable Lineups
TOR- Greivis Vasquez (PG), DeMar DeRozan (SG), Terrence Ross (SF), Amir Johnson (PF), Jonas Valanciunas (C)
BKN- Deron Williams (PG), Markel Brown (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Thaddeus Young (PF), Brook Lopez (C)
Final Thoughts
During their streak, the Nets have found success with ball movement, attacking the rim and timely three-point shooting. All three of those will be crucial in this game as well as rebounding, since guys like Jonas Valanciunas and Amir Johnson can crush Brooklyn on the offensive glass with second-chance points.
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