After missing seven straight games with a mild right foot sprain, Brook Lopez may finally be coming back to the starting lineup. Lopez is probable for tonight’s contest vs. the Detroit Pistons in Detroit. The Nets have missed Lopez dearly on both ends of the floor — while Blatche has filled in admirably (he & Lopez rank 9th & 10th in the NBA in PER, respectively), he’s a downgrade both offensively and defensively, and the hole left behind Blatche is far bigger.
According to Coach Avery Johnson, if Lopez does return tonight he likely won’t play more than 24 minutes.
The Nets have been 2-5 and sad since Lopez’s injury. In a winnable game like Detroit, his presence would be a welcome change.
