 |
| Anthony Davis is having an unreal sophomore campaign, and after being passed over for the Western Conference All-Star team, a few days ago he was announced as the injury replacement for Kobe Bryant, which means Davis will participate next weekend at home in New Orleans |
When: 6:00 PM; Sunday, February 9th, 2014
Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network
If the Brooklyn Nets ever needed to take care of business in a home game, today's game against the banged-up New Orleans Pelicans would be that game. New Orleans, mired in last place in the insanely-competitive Southwest Division, will be without both starting point guard Jrue Holiday (out indefinitely with a leg injury) and power forward/former Net Ryan Anderson (out around 6 weeks with a herniated disc), has struggled through a once-promising season that has been severely derailed with loads of injuries–reserve big man Jason Smith is also out for the season after knee surgery.
However, some bright spots have emerged in New Orleans' first season post-Hornets. Anthony Davis, in his second year after a successful rookie season as a #1 overall pick, has emerged as an future superstar, and even garnered his first All-Star Game selection (even though it was as an injury replacement). Averaging 20.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per game on 52% shooting along with 3.24 blocks, Davis is a certifiably-dominant force down low for Monty Williams, who has had to mix and match his lineups–due to injury games missed–more than most NBA coaches.
Also, Eric Gordon–who re-signed with New Orleans this summer after almost going to Phoenix–has been pretty good as the main perimeter threat for the Pelicans, who are just .5 games back of the Nets in terms of record (if that means anything other than being a quirk), putting up 16 points on 43% shooting in 32.7 minutes. Tyreke Evans, day-to-day with sore ribs, has been a little inconsistent in his first year in New Orleans after an offseason trade from Sacramento and hasn't yet solidified his role on the team.
Just a note, former Net Anthony Morrow (a personal favorite of mine) is also on the Pelicans. We know all too well just how deadly from three he can be when he's given room to shoot.
Probable Lineups
NOP- Brian Roberts (PG), Eric Gordon (SG), Al-Farouq Aminu (SF), Anthony Davis (PF), Alexis Ajinca (C)
BKN- Deron Williams (PG), Shaun Livingston (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Paul Pierce (PF), Kevin Garnett (C)
Final Thoughts
After a brutal thrashing at the hands of the lowly Detroit Pistons on Friday night–a team that fired its coach (Maurice Cheeks) today, naming former Nets assistant John Loyer as the interim–Brooklyn needs a win to get back on track, especially since the Nets haven't convincingly won a game since their January 21st triumph over the Magic. The Pelicans, young and talented for sure, have too many key guys out to warrant the Nets dropping another winnable game. Brooklyn has to win this one, there's no doubt about that. Stopping Anthony Davis, though, won't be easy.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
