Nets @ Hornets, 8:00 P.M. EST:
TBG Open Thread

Grade the Game At Any Time!

Tonight: The 33-24 Brooklyn Nets are in Louisiana, taking on the 20-37 New Orleans Hornets at the refreshingly named New Orleans Arena in New Orleans. The Hornets are last in the Southwest Division and most recently beat the Sacramento Kings 110-95 on their home court. The Nets have lost two in a row to two tough Western Conference opponents — the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies — and this is the first sub-.500 team they’ve faced since February 8th.

The BK Game Streak: Today marks game 5 of “The BK Game Streak,” where you can build a streak of wins along the betting line over the course of the season. Three prizes will be awarded at the end of the year, with first prize a $200 Amazon Gift Card. Log in with Facebook to get started, vote in the box above, and good luck!

Watch & Listen: Tonight’s game is broadcast on YES Network. Ian “The Birdman” Eagle and Mike “The Czar” Fratello are on the call. 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: After shooting around before the game, Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson says he probably won’t play, and listed himself as doubtful. If he doesn’t play, C.J. Watson will presumably start in his place for the third straight game. Jerry Stackhouse is not with the team for personal reasons. The Hornets are at full strength.

Projected Starters:
New Orleans Hornets: Greivis Vasquez, Eric Gordon, Al-Farouq Aminu, Anthony Davis, Robin Lopez (280 minutes, +/- -3.1 per 100 possessions)
Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams, C.J. Watson, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez (37 minutes, +/- -13.5 per 100 possessions)

Advanced Statistics:
New Orleans Hornets: 102.7 offensive rating (15th), 106.0 defensive rating (27th), 91.22 possessions per game (29th)
Brooklyn Nets: 103.4 offensive rating (12th), 103.6 defensive rating (17th), 90.60 possessions per game (30th)

Twin tortoises: Tonight’s contest is a matchup between the two slowest teams in the NBA in pace, and both teams start a Lopez twin. Please do not believe that is a coincidence. Is another 76-72 game in the works?

Go Nets!