Time: 7 p.m.
Watch: YES Network, FOX Sports GO
Location: Little Caesars Arena
Listen: WFAN 101.9, 660 AM
The Brooklyn Nets will be playing away on the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday against a newly-hot Detroit Pistons team. The Pistons have won four straight and look rejuvenated with the recent addition of Blake Griffin.
After facing another of the NBA’s buzz teams in the Houston Rockets last night, the Nets came off with the 123-113 loss. It was far from an embarrassing effort against a team that currently boasts the second-best record in the NBA, but the Nets will be licking their wounds as they head to Detroit. Caris LeVert is out for the game under concussion evaluation and a right knee sprain, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will extend his stint on the sidelines with a groin issue.
Going into Wednesday’s game, the Brooklyn Nets will again try to end a losing streak. Currently, the Nets have lost three in a row and have four games to go before the All-Star break. D’Angelo Russell will again be afforded more opportunity to build his way back from injury, and new-found Nets cult hero Jarrett Allen will try to extend his double-digit scoring streak to nine games.
These games leading into the break are needed for building momentum and are just as important for team belief. A confident performance against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday would be a good start for all involved.
Three Things to Watch
Trade Deadline
Wednesday will be the last Brooklyn Nets game before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET on Feb. 8, and many do not expect the Nets to stay silent. Names that have been thrown around, whether as rumors or with some base of fact, have included DeMarre Carroll, Spencer Dinwiddie, Hollis-Jefferson and Joe Harris. Depending on how things shake down, there is always a possibility Wednesday may be the last game in a Nets uniform for one of these guys.
Allen Crabbe
Allen Crabbe is a player that is committed to the long-term and is hoping to find more consistency. Crabbe has scored in double digits in just five of the last ten games, but with a potential shortening on the wing rotation that tends to happen as the season winds down (due to trades and/or injury), Crabbe will be one to watch.
Crabbe is a big part of Kenny Atkinson’s plans if he can fulfill his role, so he needs to show why the Nets originally extended that contract offer that made him the highest paid Nets player.
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin makes basketball fun to watch. The Pistons have not lost with him in a Detroit uniform (3-0) and the pairing of him and Andre Drummond has been a treat despite initial question marks.
This will be most Brooklyn Nets fans’ first chance to see Griffin play for his new team outside of the highlight reel. The Nets will try to quell his impact on the game, but with Hollis-Jefferson out, Griffin is a hard defensive assignment.
