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NETS GAMENIGHT: #Sixers @ #Nets (MY9)

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Updated: April 9, 2013

Philadelphia Sixers (31-45) @ Brooklyn Nets (44-32)

Barclays Center 7:30

TV: WWOR My9 – RADIO: Bloomberg 1130AM

The Brooklyn Nets are coming off a shaky win over the listless Charlotte Bobcats 105-96 at Barclays Center on Saturday night.  The Nets looked good early and took a six point lead behind the ability to get the ball inside to Brook Lopez.  The normal Nets showed up in the second with a horrible end to the half giving up a 31-24 quarter capped off by a huge blunder by Reggie Evans giving the ball away to the Bobcats for a layup as time expired with the Nets leading 54-53.

Joe Johnson came alive in the third and helped the Nets regain control of the game with a strong third quarter and ended with 15 points.  Deron Williams led Brooklyn with 32 points and six assists while Evans once again dominated the glass with 20 rebounds to go with 14 points.  The Nets held off a flurry in the fourth by Ben Gordon (27 points) who got hot from behind the arc and made the Barclays crowd a bit queasy until the end.

The Nets take on the Philadelphia Sixers tonight in the last meeting of the season and Brooklyn holds a 2-1 lead so far.  The Sixers season is over as they cannot make the playoffs although the Nets still have plenty to play for right now.

[blockquote]”We’re still playing for position, there are still a lot of scenarios, most of them unlikely, but, if nothing else, you’re still playing for homecourt,” said interim coach P.J. Carlesimo.[/blockquote]Joe Johnson standing in black uniform

This is the last of four straight on the road for the Sixers and hopefully the Nets can take advantage of a road weary team and put them away early.  The Sixers dominated Brooklyn the last game with Spencer Hawes having a career game and scored 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to go with two blocks in their 106-97 victory.  The Nets have to play better defense and not allow a struggling Sixers team to shoot 53 percent like the last time they played.  Lopez must match Hawes tonight and not allow another outburst like the previous game.
Johnson is a game-time decision tonight and it is a must to get him going and back into the early season form for the Nets to click on all cylinders with only five games left after tonight’s game.
[blockquote]“I think it’s a good chance I will play, but I don’t know, I can’t read their minds,” said Johnson, who is averaging just 13.3 points in last 12 games. “So we’ll have to see when I get to the arena tonight.”[/blockquote]

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: Deron Williams vs Jrue Holiday

Deron Williams had a great game last time out and had 32 points to lead the Nets to victory.  His continued play has been a huge factor in the Nets being able to hold onto the fourth see din the East right now and hold homecourt.  He will need another big game tonight with Holiday waiting for him. Williams led the Nets with 27 points,13 assists and six rebounds in their last loss to the Sixers.

Jrue Holiday is the only player in the league averaging at least 18.0 points and 8.0 assists.  He had 16 points and 11 assists the last time they beat the Nets in Philly and propelled the Sixers all night.  Holiday has played well against Brooklyn in all three meetings and has gotten his teammates involve din all three games.  The first game was his best with 24 points and nine assists in a loss right before Christmas.  This matchup with D-Will is critical to this game.

STAT FOR TONIGHT: The Nets haven’t won this season series since sweeping four games in 2008-09.  Brooklyn snapped a six-game home losing streak to the 76ers with its December win 95-92.

Season Series: BKN 2-1
12/23 – PHI 92 @ BKN 95
1/8 –   BKN 109 @ PHI 89
3/11 –  BKN 97 @ PHI 106

Nets:

Keith Bogans (sore lower back) is OUT
Joe Johnson (sore heel/rest) is game-time decision

Sixers:

Andrew Bynum (Bilateral Arthroscopic Knee Surgery) is OUT
Jason Richardson (Left Knee Surgery) is OUT.

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