NETS GAMENIGHT: #Bucks @ #Nets

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Updated: February 19, 2013

GAMENIGHT

Milwaukee Bucks (26-25) @ Brooklyn Nets (31-22)

Barclays Center 7:30

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Brooklyn Nets get back to work tonight in the first game of a home-and-home against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks after the extended break for the All-Star game.  The Nets surprised everyone by winning the final two games prior to the break, without Deron Williams, against quality above .500 teams in Indiana and Denver.  The Denver game was the best game the Nets played all season and it is a shame that the break came and took that momentum.  Let’s hope they can keep the feeling going into the second half.

[blockquote]”I think we’ve played great team ball. We have confidence in each other. That’s the most important part,” said Brook Lopez
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The Bucks went into the break struggling and lost six out of the last ten games and did not look good doing so.  They have beaten the Nets twice this year already and did so pretty easily with a nine point win in Brooklyn and also a 109-93 win at home.   The Bucks have had the Nets number for years now and seem to beat the Nets easily over and over again.  The quick guards of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings give the Nets fits and helped them set season highs in free throw percentage (.947) and 3-point field goal percentage (.588) vs. the Nets on Dec. 26.

Williams has said he will play tonight although he is not 100% with his ankle synovitis which hinders his jumping ability.  Tyshawn Taylor has stepped up big for the Nets in his absence and should continue to get playing regardless s of Williams status.

[blockquote]”I can’t jump — I don’t know if you’ve noticed — I haven’t dunked. I can’t dunk,” said Williams, who has missed the last two games with inflammation in both of his ankles. “Even if I tried, off one leg I can’t dunk. I can dunk off two, but if I tried to jump off my left leg, I can’t dunk, so it’s definitely affected me. [/blockquote]

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Brook Lopez  vs Samuel Dalembert

Brook Lopez is coming of his first All-Star game and is flying high with confidence right now. Lopez did not play in the first meeting with the Bucks but did play in the second and came away with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.  He will need to keep that flow going tonight when he faces the Bucks that bring a new guy, Samuel Dalembert, in at center for an injured Larry Sanders.  Sanders has played well in the two games against the Nets but if he cant play because of his lower back issues Dalembert can do the job.  Dalembert came off the bench to have a career performance against the Nuggets in 27 minutes where  he went 17-of-21 for 35 points with 12 rebounds and one blocked shot.

STAT FOR TONIGHTThe Bucks seek their 14th straight win in the series against the Nets and have won seven in a row at the Nets.

Nets:

Reggie Evans (illness) is probable

Bucks:

Larry Sanders  (lower back contusion) is questionable

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