Nets return home against Knicks on Biggie Night

(AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Resolution: Get a bionic hamstring by Ben Nadeau It goes without saying, but there were incredibly high hopes for the Jeremy Lin era in Brooklyn -- and, up until now, it's been a false start. Over his seven-year career, Lin has been a very healthy athlete, even playing in all 82 games during the 2012-2013 season. What's most unfortunate, however, is that the Nets border on a forever-burning dumpster fire without Lin on the court. Lin is not a world-beater, nor will he ever put up a line like Russell Westbrook's assault on the triple-double record books, but he is the most important cog the Nets have had in years, considering the dried husks of Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Kevin Garnett that they hauled around in recent seasons. With the ball in Lin's hands, the Nets have moments of electric bliss, but Atkinson's right-hand man's left-leg hamstring has really thrown a wrench into the operation. While on the court, Lin's three-point shooting has provided another element that Isaiah Whitehead and Spencer Dinwiddie cannot provide yet -- without him, they're borderline hopeless at points over a 48-minute contest. This season is wasted in terms of wins and losses, but the sooner he can return, fully healthy, the quicker the rest of the organization can evaluate the moving parts around him. Get well soon, Jeremy. — (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Opponent: New York Knicks
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Barclays Center
Watch: YES Network
Listen: 660 AM, 101.9 FM

The battle of New York.

In what was a meaningful game just a few seasons ago, the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks both find themselves out of the playoff picture this season.

Although the game doesn’t mean much in terms of records, it is still a big game for bragging rights amongst players and fans.

The Nets will finally be back home after its circus road trip and will welcome the Knicks on Biggie Night at the Barclays.

With the Nets playing in Brooklyn, home of rap great Biggie Smalls, the team will celebrate and commemorate Biggie’s legacy and the 20th anniversary of his passing. Biggie’s many and friends will be attendance, including P. Diddy, as there will be special pre-game and halftime ceremonies.

Can the Nets display some ‘Brooklyn Grit’ in honor of someone who put Brooklyn on the map many years ago?

The Knicks won the first game in November, 110-96, and the second game, 95-90, in a game where the Nets blew it in the fourth quarter, but are coming off a 20-point loss to the Detriot Pistons Saturday night.

Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis are the main focal points of the Knicks’ offense and you can expect the Nets to give them a glimpse of the future by sticking Caris LeVert on Carmelo and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on Porzingis.

Brook Lopez is listed as probable for tonight’s game after sitting out Friday due to a sprained ankle.

3 Things to Watch for in Nets-Knicks:

1. Jeremy Lin vs. Derrick Rose
Both teams made a splash in the offseason to acquire their own starting point guards, but it hasn’t gone as expected for either side. Rose has been healthy but has been facing legal issues and even went AWOL on his team. Meanwhile, Lin has struggled to stay healthy all season. Look for an interesting matchup at the point guard position tonight.

2. Will they really be back ‘home’?
Yes, the Nets are back in the Barclays, but Knicks fans tend to take over the arena when their team faces the Nets. If the Knicks get any momentum in the game and the crowd takes over, this could be frustrating for Nets players and fans. The Nets led the majority of the last contest between the teams but Porzingis led his team and the crowd to a comeback victory.

3. Enjoy Biggie night!
The Nets are honoring one of hip-hop’s all-time greats and you get a chance to enjoy his music. His music isn’t played much anymore in arenas but tonight you have a chance to hear some classics played during the game and ceremonies such as “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” “Hypnotize” and much more!