Chat about the game here.
Remember, you can grade the players at any time.
Some primer information:
Projected Starters:
Nets: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Andray Blatche
Thunder: Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins
Breakdown:
Nets: 103.8 offensive efficiency (9th), 100.9 defensive efficiency (12th), 90.49 pace (30th)
Thunder: 110.1 offensive efficiency (3rd), 98.6 defensive efficiency (T-5th), 94.93 pace (14th)
Three Things Worth Watching For:
1) Durant v. Wallace. As mentioned earlier today, Wallace gives Durant a tough time. The Nets defense is based on as system, not merely a one-on-one brand of basketball, but having a tough forward like Wallace check a scorer like Durant is a plus for the Nets — at least over past Nets seasons.
2) Andray Blatche. Blatche fills in for the injured Brook Lopez for the third straight game and has looked strikingly promising in this role. A honed-in Blatche has added up to good things for the Nets so far this year. Kendrick Perkins is a worthy adversary, as is Serge Ibaka when switches happen, but Blatche should find some decent shots at the basket from Deron Williams and his own brand of craftiness tonight.
3) Smallball? With Lopez & Evans out, it seems natural that the Nets would want to try a smaller approach, putting Humphries at the 5 in stretches and switching Wallace to the 4. But a scorer like Kevin Durant poses a different set of problems; if Wallace is on the floor you want him sticking Durant at all times. So the Nets may have to get creative with their lineups: play Humphries & Blatche often, throw Teletovic into the mix, then fuss around and experiment when Durant’s resting on the bench.
