Brooklyn Nets (42-29) @ Denver Nuggets (49-24)

Pepsi Center 9:00

TV: YES – RADIO: WFAN 660 AM/101.9 FM

The Brooklyn Nets are coming together at the right time, right in the middle of the longest road streak in franchise history. The Nets are 4-1 so and coming off an impressive wire to wire win in Portland where they never play well. Brook Lopez dropped 28 points and Reggie Evans dominated with 26 rebounds to go with a career high 22 points.

Deron Williams was not needed to play hero, 3-11 last game, and carry the team this time as the Nets outscored the Trailblazers 74-38 in the paint. They’ll likely need another big effort on the boards from Evans as Denver is among the league leaders with 44.8 rebounds a contest and tops in the NBA at 57.8 points in the paint per game.

[blockquote]Evans: In the past when people play off me, I was still looking to be less aggressive on the offensive end. I still was looking to pass it and stuff like that. And (after a teammate told Carlesimo to bench me), I said, ‘Let me just be a little aggressive and make them play us honestly instead of not playing me and stuff like that.'[/blockquote]

The Nuggets have recently won 15 in a row and then followed that up with consecutive losses to the hapless New Orleans Hornets and then a one point loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Ty Lawson is the team leader but will not be playing tonight. He averages 16.7 points per game and scored 26 while hitting all five of his 3-point attempts in a 119-108 loss to Brooklyn in Feb. Brooklyn catches a break with Lawson out although Andre Miller is a savvy veteran who can run the team just as well. The key for the Nets will be turnovers and if they don’t turn it over the Nuggets can’t run and Brooklyn has a chance for the upset.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Reggie Evans vs Kenneth Faried

Reggie Evans is coming off a career night with 22 points and a monster 26 rebounds to help the Nets rout the Trailblazers in Rip City. Evans, who has more 20-rebound games (7) this season than any player in the league is playing out of his mind. His offensive production is something that no one expected and has energized Brooklyn in more ways than one can quantify. He will need his passion tonight against the Manimal.

Kenneth Faried is a much younger and more athletic version of Evans and plays above he rim while Evans plays below the rim. Faries does not have a single play run for him but plays an intregal part of Denver’s run and gun style. If the Nuggets turn the Nets over it will get them running and Faried is unstoppable near the rim.

STAT FOR TONIGHT: The Nuggets are riding a 17-game home winning streak and have defeated the Nets at Pepsi Center five straight times, by an average of 13.2 points.

Nets:

Joe Johnson (right thigh contusion) is doubtful

Nuggets: