Tonight: The 28-19 Brooklyn Nets host the 22-26 Los Angeles Lakers, at 7:30 P.M. EST tonight in Brooklyn at Barclays Center. The Lakers have found a rhythm after moving Pau Gasol to the bench and allowing Kobe Bryant to take over creative duties, winning five of their last six games. The Nets haven’t played since Friday, when they eked out a 93-89 victory over a shorthanded Chicago Bulls squad.
Watch & Listen: Tonight’s game is broadcast on YES Network. Ian Eagle and Jim Spanarkel are on the call. The game is also broadcast nationally on NBA TV. In the car? The game is radio simulcast on WFAN, and in Spanish on WADO.
More on tonight’s game, including injuries and stats, after the jump.
Out: For the Nets Tornike Shengelia remains out indefinitely with a mild concussion (obligatory: no concussion is “mild”). Everyone else is active, though backup point guard C.J. Watson (sprained left ankle), backup shooting guard MarShon Brooks (sprained right ankle), Jerry Stackhouse (stiff neck) & Andray Blatche (sickness) are battling various ailments. For Los Angeles, the Lakers will be without center Dwight Howard, nursing a torn labrum in his shoulder, and Metta World Peace, who was suspended for tonight’s game after hitting Brandon Knight in the jaw.
Starting Lineups:
Los Angeles Lakers: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Earl Clark, Antawn Jamison, Pau Gasol (34 minutes, +/- +17.8 per 100 possessions)
Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez (249 minutes, +/- +2.0 per 100 possessions)
Advanced Statistics:
Los Angeles Lakers: 100.5 offensive rating (7th), 97.5 defensive rating (17th), 92.33 possessions per game (3rd)
Brooklyn Nets: 104.4 offensive rating (10th), 103.6 defensive rating (20th), 90.53 possessions per game (30th)
Coaching: Both Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo and Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni have taken over their respective teams in the middle of a season. Carlesimo has led the Nets out of a funk, while D’Antoni’s leading his team through and past one.
Go Nets!
Kobe Bryant (AP)
