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The Blazers drafted Damian Lillard with the barely-protected lottery pick they received from the Nets in the Gerald Wallace deal. I think we now know who won that trade. |
When: 7:30 PM; Monday, November 18th, 2013
Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network
Finally, the Brooklyn Nets return home after a West Coast road trip in which they won a game (vs the Suns) but lost two (vs the Kings and Clippers). Two losses and just one win is not the three-game swing Jason Kidd is looking for with this team. Granted, for the game in LA against the Clippers, the Nets were missing four of their five usual starters (excluding Joe Johnson, who played) and Andrei Kirilenko, who didn't even make the trip west with the team.
Tonight versus Portland, the Nets will still be missing some of those key players as Brook Lopez and Deron Williams are still out with ankle injuries and Kirilenko is out with back spasms. This means Brook won't face off with his twin brother Robin, who is Portland's center. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett return to Brooklyn's starting five while Andray Blatche and Shaun Livingston continue to replace Brook and Deron in the lineup. At least Jason Kidd gets some of his main guys back this evening.
The Blazers, on the other hand, are pretty healthy all the way around, with their only guy missing significant time is rookie point guard C.J. McCollum, who injured his left foot in the preseason and was given an estimated six-week recovery time. The top pick out of Lehigh is expected to be Damian Lillard's main backup when he returns and plays in a similar fashion. Not having McCollum hasn't really hurt Terry Stotts' team all that much early on, as Portland is 8-2, riding a six-game winning streak and is atop the Northwest Division.
They're certainly a tough opponent, and have many weapons who can score at will. Five Blazers are currently averaging over 10 points per game with Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge over 20 points. Frenchman Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews–in addition to newcomer Mo Williams–give Portland more players who can hit open shots when given them, which is an attribute that makes defending this team highly difficult.
Probable Lineups
POR- Damian Lillard (PG), Wesley Matthews (SG), Nicolas Batum (SF), LaMarcus Aldridge (PF), Robin Lopez (C)
BKN- Shaun Livingston (PG), Joe Johnson (SG), Paul Pierce (SF), Andray Blatche (PF), Kevin Garnett (C)
Final Thoughts
The Nets still don't have their full complement of players on the floor at the same time–which has been a rare occasion this season–so taking on a hot, surging team such as the Blazers is far from an easy task. Still, though, at home there is no reason for Brooklyn to not be competitive in this one and maybe steal a win late in the game.
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