NETS GAMENIGHT: #Mavericks @ #Nets

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Updated: March 1, 2013

Dallas Mavericks (25-32) @ Brooklyn Nets (34-24)

Barclays Center 8:00

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Brooklyn Nets will host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Barclays Center at 8pm in the first meeting between the two teams this year.  The Mavericks are the only team that the Nets have not played this year to date.

Dallas is coming off three straight losses, the last one a devastating 90-84 loss at Memphis on Wednesday. The Mavericks led by as many as 25 points in the second quarter before the Grizzlies went on a 36-4 run.  Dallas managed just five points in the third quarter to blow the huge lead and go home with the loss.

The Nets beat the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night 101-97 behind a big game from Deron Williams.  Williams finished with a season-high tying 33 points and eight assists, but more importantly he scored the Nets last 11 points to lead Brooklyn to a win on the road.

[quote_box]”It feels good to get it going, especially down the stretch and be able to close out a game,” said Williams.  It’s something I’ve kind of struggled with this year and I was really successful at it most of my career, so it feels good to be able to finally have a game like that.”[/quote_box]

The game might light a spark under Williams knowing he can play with more bounce since the ankle injury.  Doing what he did knowing Joe Johnson wasn’t playing again gives more credence to the theory he may have a bit of his confidence back.

Johnson is hoping to return tonight to face the Mavericks after a three game absence and tweeted out a picture on Instragram about getting ready to play tonight. Johnson is officially listed as questionable for the game.

[quote_box] “Yeah, I’m gonna give it a go tonight,” Johnson said after shootaround on Friday morning. “It’s just a little soreness, but today is probably the best its felt in quite some time. I was able to move, cut with no problems. I just keep icing it, treating it and hopefully it will get better.”[/quote_box]

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Nets Forwards vs Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki has been on a minutes count for most of the season but he is starting to find his groove lately. He has averaged 25.3 points and 13.3 rebounds the last three games before posting a dud with 10 points and four rebounds versus Memphis in a loss.  He will always be a threat down the stretch of games and tonight the Nets will have to body him up to make sure he doesn’t go off.  Kris Humphries has had some success guarding Nowitzki in the past and he might seem major minutes tonight with that in mind.  Reggie Evans and Andray Blatche will also spend time guarding Dirk and the more the Nets can throw at him the better it can be.

STAT FOR TONIGHTThe Mavericks have won 19 of the last 23 overall matchups with the Nets, despite dropping the most recent meeting in Dallas on 2/28/12.  Brook Lopez scored 38 points in the game.

Nets:

Joe Johnson (sore heel, plantar fasciitis) is game-time decision

MarShon Brooks (sprained wrist) is game-time decision

Jerry Stackhouse (personal reasons) is not with the team

Mavericks:

None

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