Brooklyn Nets (39-28) @ Dallas Mavericks (32-35)

American Airlines Center 8:00

TV: YES/ESPN – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Nets continue their killer eight game road trip with a visit to play the Dallas Mavericks after dismantling the Detroit Pistons on Monday night 119-82.  The Nets looked focused and ready to play which is completely opposite of their last home game against the Atlanta Hawks.  The statement win to start the circus road trip was needed and can only help propel them to a winning trip.

Deron Williams got the Nets started early and often in Detroit with a dominating 31 point performance in only three quarters of play.  When Williams is playing at the level he is right now the Nets are hard to stop at home or on the road.

[blockquote]”He’s the brain of our offense, so it is always good when he gets it going,” Reggie Evans said. “It doesn’t matter if he’s shooting it or passing it. He’s feeling really good right now.”[/blockquote]

Williams is sure to have a chip on his shoulder about playing the Mavericks as last game in Brooklyn he did not play well and the Nets lost 98-90 on March 1.  His seven turnovers were a big part of the Nets loss to Dallas and he knows he will be getting booed all night for snubbing the Mavericks so a big game is necessary.

Vince Carter had a big game when he visited Brooklyn last with 20 points and it made a big difference when the Mavericks took control o fthe game in a 29-14 third quarter spurt.

Dallas is playing better as of late, even without Shawn Marion, and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.  The Mavericks are three games back of the eighth-place Los Angeles Lakers right now and each game is huge so they will definitely come out strong.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Brook Lopez vs Dirk Nowitzki

Brook Lopez scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the loss to Dallas although he has averaged 26.3 points on 61.4 percent shooting in four games against Dallas since 2010-11 which is his third-highest scoring title against any opponent.  Lopez will need to play big again tonight to take some of the pressure off Williams and the crowd who will surely be against him.

Dirk Nowitzki is getting back to his All-Star form after the early season injury woes and is averaging 18.5 points on 50.9 percent shooting.  He is shooting 13-of-26 mark from 3-point range over his last eight games and the Mavericks are following his lead.

STAT FOR TONIGHT: Brooklyn lost for the sixth time in the last seven meetings with Dallas with that loss in Brooklyn.

Nets:

Tyshawn Taylor and Tornike Shengelia has been re-assigned to the Springfield Armor

None

Mavericks: