NETS GAMENIGHT: #Cavaliers (11-21) @ #Nets (11-21)

Cleveland Cavaliers (11-21) @ Brooklyn Nets (11-21)

Barclays Center 7:30

TV: YES – RADIO: CBS 880

[quote_simple]NETS STARTERS
The starting lineup tonight will be Deron Williams playing alongside Shaun Livingston  in the backcourt with Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce up front and the man in the middle Kevin Garnett.

The Nets shocked everyone on Thursday when they, for a second year in a row, went into Oklahoma City and came away with a huge win.  Joe Johnson’s last second buzzer-beating jumper was the highlight of the year so far.

Last season the win in OKC started a winning streak and turned the Nets season around all together.

Lets hope there is a repeat of last year and they come out with the same passion at home to beat the Cavaliers without Kyrie Irving.

[box]Injury News:

Andray Blatche is probable after being at shoot around this morning.  He had missed the last three games for “personal reasons”

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CAVALIERS STARTERS

The Cavaliers starting lineup will be Jarrett Jack and C.J. Miles in the backcourt with Earl Clark, Tristan Thompson and Anderson Varejao playing in the frontcourt.

The big news is that Kyrie Irving did not even make the trip to Brooklyn because of a left knee bruise he suffered In Tuesday’s loss to the Pacers.

That would put the load on Jack who started in Irving’s place on Thursday and scored 14 points added seven assists and grabbed seven rebounds.

Varejao, a notorious offensive rebounding machine, had 18 points and a franchise record-tying 25 rebounds when the Cavaliers came from behind 10 down in the final 90 seconds to force overtime and eventually beat Orlando 87-81.

[quote_simple][box]Game Notes:

Brooklyn is trying to win its fourth consecutive home win against Cleveland.

The Nets return to Brooklyn for their longest homestand of the season (four games).

Last game was first time Joe Johnson has gone four consecutive games without reaching double figures since Jan. 8-15, 2003.

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[box]WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Start a run……

The big win in OKC might be just what the doctor ordered for the Nets who now go home for their longest homestand of the year at four games.

If Brooklyn can gain some confidence and out a few wins together it could very well be a repeat of last season whey routed the Thunder at home and then took off.

The new “small ball” lineup with D-Will playing more two guard and Livingston running the point seems to have worked so it might be something that coach Kidd needs to use more.

If Johnson’s last second shot to beat the Thunder doesn’t spark a team then…..

Whatever it is that works – use it – and get on a damn run and reel off four or five straight wins.

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[box]INJURY REPORT

NETS

Brook Lopez  – OUT (ankle)

CAVALIERS

Kyrie Irving – OUT (left knee contusion)

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