Brooklyn Nets (40-28) @ Los Angeles Clippers (47-22)

Staples Center 10:30

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The road warrior Brooklyn Nets make their third stop of the “Circus Roadtrip” tonight when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center tonight.  The Nets are coming off back to back convincing wins in the first two games over the Detroit Pistons and the Dallas Mavericks.

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez have led the way with big performances in the two wins and more is needed tonight if they plan on beating the Lob City Clippers in their building.  Both were responsible for 69 points in the last win at Dallas and both were dominant at different points in the game.  Lopez finished with a season-high 38 points on 15-of-22 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds.

[blockquote]”When you’re feeling good and feel like you can’t miss, it’s a good feeling,” said Williams, who scored 31 in the the first two games of the trip.[/blockquote]

Lopez has played well in his last three games with the Clippers with 24.7 points and great defense defending DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.  Kris Humphries may come out of storage tonight if my hunch is correct with P.J. Carlesimo knowing that Humphries has played Griffin well in the past.  Don’t be surprised.

Brooklyn beat the high-scoring, high-flying Clippers in the first meeting when they held them to 40 percent shooting and a miniscule 29 points in the second half  to win  86-76 at home in November.  Brooklyn has won five of the last six meetings overall with the Clippers.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Deron Williams vs Chris Paul

Deron Williams has had back to back 31 points games in the last two wins and is simply playing elite level point guard again.  His jump shot has been found and when he gets his 3-point shot flowing it opens up his entire game.  Williams has the edge 14-4 in this matchup with Chris Paul and the last two victories with the Nets.  D-Will usually raises his game against Paul so expect much of the same focused and lethal leader we have seen since the All-Star break.

Chris Paul has not had good success against the bigger Williams for a multitude of reasons.  The size is a major factor for sure but he still managed to score 14 points and dish nine assists in the first matchup early in the season.  Paul is one of the smartest and quickest point guards in the NBA so if he gets the Clippers running then the Nets will be in trouble.  Paul needs the ball moving up tempo to really get the LA crowd so turnovers are high priority with the steal-happy CP3.

STAT FOR TONIGHT: Clippers have beaten the Nets seven out of the last eight games at home in LA.

Nets:

None

Clippers: