NETS GAMENIGHT: #Nets (15-21) @ #Raptors (17-17)

Brooklyn Nets (15-21) @ Toronto Raptors (17-17)

Air Canada Centre 7:00

TV: YES– RADIO: Bloomberg 1130AM

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

Johnson (32 points, five assist and four rebounds) started the fire in the first quarter against the Heat and Livingston (19 points, 11 rebounds, five assist and three blocks) keep the Nets rolling throughout the game with is best game as an NBA player.

Brooklyn is holding opponents to 90.8 points during the recent five-game winning streak opposed to the 102.4 points per game in the other 31 games.

By scoring just six points in the two overtime periods in last night’s game, the Heat became the first team in the shot clock era (since 1954-55) to score six
overtime points or less in a game that went at least two overtime periods.

A quick turnaround tonight after a hard fought double-overtime win could be a daunting task for Brooklyn but winning a sixth in a row leading into a four day break would do wonders for this teams confidence going to London.

[box]Injury News:

Deron Williams has been ruled out of this game again and will continue to rest his ankles.

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RAPTORS STARTERS

The Raptors starting lineup will be Kyle Lowry and Demar Derozan in the backcourt with Terrance Ross, Amir Johnson and  Jonas Valanciunas playing in the frontcourt.

The Raptors have won six of their past eight games overall, and four of five at home.

In their 112-91 victory over Detroit on Wednesday Lowry led the way with 21 points while DeRozan had 19.

Raptors have lost four out of the last five against Brooklyn with the last loss coming on Nov 24 behind 24 points from Andray Blatche.

[quote_simple][box]Game Notes:

If the Nets win it would be their fifth victory in their last six meetings with the Raptors.

Nets have held the last five opponents under 100 points – all wins.

The Nets are now 5-2 in the first game of back-to-back sets this season.

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[box]WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Building momentum

Brooklyn has the leagues longest winning streak right now at five games and looking to make it six in a row tonight in Toronto.

The Nets may have finally found a rhythm with the smaller lineup they have employed the last five games so if it is not broken then don’t fix it.

Livingston is playing the best basketball of his career and it is making everyone forget that their franchise player is on the shelf once again.

The camaraderie and passion that has been shown during the new year run is exactly what all Nets fans expected from the start of the season.

Get this win and enjoy the four day rest with momentum on your side.

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[box]INJURY REPORT

NETS

Deron Williams – OUT- (left ankle)

Brook Lopez  – OUT (ankle)

RAPTORS

Tyler Hansbrough – game-time decision (sprained left ankle)

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