NETS GAME NIGHT – #Nets @ #Sixers

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Updated: March 11, 2013

Brooklyn Nets (37-26) @ Philadelphia Sixers (23-39)

Wells Fargo Center 7:00

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Nets are coming off a big win in Atlanta on Saturday night 93-80,  riding a three game winning streak to face the Philadelphia Sixers in their building tonight at 7pm.  The Sixers are really struggling and the Nets seem to have found a rhythm in the past week.

Brook Lopez and Andray Blatche combined for 36 points on 17-of-27 shooting against the Hawks and led a balanced attack.  Deron Williams ran the show and got everyone involved and the defense was impeccable all night long.  This should be a good test for that defense going against one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams in the Sixers.  Consistency is needed.

[blockquote]”When we’re that focused and play with that much attentiveness as we did – not much energy – we can be a really good basketball team,” said P.J. Carlesimo. “We were a really good basketball team. It’s one game, but that’s really, really encouraging.”
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The Sixers are falling to depths they haven’t been in a few years with the no-show of Andrew Bynum and the new roster not playing well together all year.  The free fall continued when they dropped their fifth straight with a 99-91 loss at awful Orlando on Sunday.  The team seems to have lost it’s faith in each other and it shows in the defense or lack there of.  Jrue Holiday is slumping badly and has only averaged 12.0 points while making 26.7 percent from the field in his last five games, all losses.  The Sixers are there for the taking right now.Brook Lopez layup on Thaddeous Young of Sixers

The Nets need to take care of business and keep piling up the wins against the sub .500 teams as it can only help them with tiebreakers on division and conference records.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Brook Lopez vs Thaddeus Young

Lopez has been playing well as of late and looks to be over the “All-Star Hangover” and finding his rhythm once again.  He dropped 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds on Saturday and has continued to improve his defense game by game.  The Nets will lean on Lopez inside presence in this game to try and put pressure on Young and Spencer HawesThaddeous Young had 18 points and 10 rebounds against the Nets in December and has scored 21.5 per game on 42-of-63 shooting in his last four overall.  He will be the man to stop tonight and Lopez will spend some time trying to make sure that happens.  Young has been on fire scoring 26 points, grabbing 12 rebounds to go with his five steals in the Sixers loss to Orlando.

STAT FOR TONIGHTThe Nets have won five of six on the road and look to extend a three-game winning streak.

Nets:

None

Sixers:

Nick Young  (Left Ankle Sprain) is doubtful
Andrew Bynum (Bilateral Knee Bone Bruises)is OUT
Jason Richardson  (Left Knee surgery) is OUT

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