Before we get to tonight’s game, I did a post on last night’s Nets-Pistons game for my other website NBAPlaybook. You can check it out if you want, but it basically comes down to the Pistons executing and the Nets no executing.
As for tonight, well, tonight is going to be tough. I don’t expect to see the type of blowout that happened the last time the Raptors and the Nets met, but with the Nets coming off a tough home loss last night then hopping on a plane and having to play again today, things could get messy (especially with the Raptors a team that loves to run it up and down the floor). No word on Keyon Dooling yet, but expect to see some Tony Battie, Josh Boone, and more of Chris Quinn tonight as the Nets regulars made need more breathers. Onto the lineups:
Devin Harris vs. Jarrett Jack
For 47 minutes and 45 seconds, Devin Harris looked really good. Those last 15 seconds, not so much. Still we shouldn’t discount the rest of the game for those final few seconds (even though that was a really really bad shot). Devin looked great, he was getting into the lane and either finishing or getting the ball to teammates in position where they can score. What I really liked is that Harris was looking to score when he got into the lane. Sometimes Harris gets into a mode where he is exclusively looking for the foul call and just throws stuff up there while trying to draw contact. The refs haven’t been giving him that call, and it seems like Harris has finally made the adjustment.
Advantage: Push
Courtney Lee vs. Sonny Weems
A lot of CDR fans are pointing to Courtney Lee and saying that he should be the one moving to the bench instead of CDR. Well, a quick stretch in the fourth quarter last night shows why he is on the court. Lee hit a spot up three, and in the next possession, he got a steal, one that lead to another basket for the Nets. Even when Courtney isn’t getting the ball, he is still out there working hard and making things happen, and that is why he is on the court.
Advantage: Push
Jarvis Hayes vs. Hedo Turkoglu
Hayes had another solid game, and at some point during the game, Mike Fratello said of Hayes, “It just looks like it is going to go in every time he shoots it.” Whenever Hayes is in the game, the defense needs to pay attention to him, because he can shoot it. That makes it easier for everyone else. He has his work cut out for him tonight. Turkoglu is a solid player on both ends, and his height can, and probably will, give Hayes problems.
Advantage: Push
Yi vs. Chris Bosh
This is going to be a tough match-up for Yi, and if he starts out cold, I can see Humphries getting a good amount of the minutes, just because he is a guy who will try to body up Bosh on the defensive end. If Humphries can even contain Bosh just a little bit, I think the Nets have a chance tonight.
Advantage: Chris Bosh
Brook Lopez vs. Andrea Bargnani
Bargnani is the type of player who can give Brook some trouble on the offensive end, so if Brook is covering him, he is really going to have to work to close out and get in Bargnani’s face to prevent easy three point shots. Also, the Nets are going to need to go to Brook into the post and force Bargnani to cover him down low. Make him work and he should tire by the end of the game. Also, who knows? The Nets may be able to pick up some fouls on him as well.
Advantage: Brook Lopez
