When: 8:00 PM EST; Tuesday, February 10th, 2015
Where: FedEx Forum; Memphis, TN
TV: YES
The Nets’ month of February started about as well as it possibly could, with three consecutive wins over the Clippers, Raptors and hated crosstown rival Knicks. It took a bit of a step back with a 114-77 loss to the Wizards as Brooklyn started an eight-game road trip. Then, last night in Milwaukee, it appeared, for a quarter and a half, that the good times could be returning. For a quarter and a half, at least.
Brooklyn was beating Jason Kidd’s Bucks by as much as 17 points (41-24) in the second quarter of that game before completely falling apart en route to a demoralizing 103-97 defeat. The loss dropped the Nets back to nine games under .500 and showed that even when they get off to great starts against good teams, nothing is guaranteed.
Tonight’s game won’t get any easier for battered Brooklyn, as it’s in Memphis against the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies, led by Dave Joerger. It’s the second half of a back-to-back, so Kevin Garnett–who played 13 minutes in Milwaukee–probably won’t be available and the team will probably be a little winded after a tough loss and fairly long flight. Also, the Grizzlies have been home for a few days now and haven’t played since Sunday, when they beat the East-leading Atlanta Hawks.
Combine that multitude of factors and you get a bunch of bad news for Brooklyn. Considering the Nets, after this game due to the All-Star break, won’t be playing again until Feb. 20, this one would be a nice win to have, even though the Grizzlies are a top team. A loss would give Brooklyn three in a row, completely negating the three impressive wins to start the month.
Probable Lineups
BKN- Jarrett Jack (PG), Alan Anderson (SG), Joe Johnson (SF), Kevin Garnett (PF), Mason Plumlee (C)
MEM- Mike Conley (PG), Courtney Lee (SG), Jeff Green (SF), Zach Randolph (PF), Marc Gasol (C)
Final Thoughts
In these team’s first and only other meeting of the season, Memphis–in Jeff Green’s debut with the team–handled the Nets with ease at Barclays. The Grizzlies won that game on the glass, winning the points in the paint battle 66-40 behind 38 combined points and 22 combined rebounds from Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. If the Nets have any chance at a win tonight, they’ll have to be strong around the rim. Oh, and maybe not let former Net star Vince Carter get hot from three.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
