Grade the Game at any time!
Tonight: The 23-15 Brooklyn Nets, winners of their last seven games and #Undefeatedin2013, travel to Philips Arena in Atlanta to take on the 21-16 Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 P.M. EST, who have lost six of their last seven games, including an embarrassing 97-58 loss in their last game to Chicago in which they scored just 5 points in the second quarter and 20 in the entire first half.
Watch & Listen: The game is broadcast on YES Network. Ian Eagle & Greg Anthony are on the call. The game is radio broadcast on WFAN, and simulcast in Spanish on WADO.
Welcome back: This is the first matchup between the Nets and Hawks since the Nets acquired Joe Johnson this summer for Anthony Morrow, DeShawn Stevenson, Johan Petro, Jordan Farmar (no longer with team), and Jordan Williams (no longer with team). That makes this Johnson’s first trip to Atlanta as an opponent since the 2004-05 season.
More info after the jump:
Out: For the Hawks, Josh Smith has been suspended for tonight’s game by the Atlanta Hawks for conduct detrimental to the team. That’s a big loss for Atlanta, who’s already going through a rough patch after a stellar 14-6 start. Zaza Pachulia will start in his place, moving Al Horford to the nominal “power forward” position, though the lineup switch likely won’t affect his play outside of seeing more touches.
Out? For the Nets, Gerald Wallace is a game-time decision with bruised ribs. According to P.J. Carlesimo, Wallace won’t start even if he is available. Former Nets and current Hawks guards DeShawn Stevenson (knee) and Anthony Morrow (hip/back) are listed as questionable.
Starting Lineups:
Brooklyn Nets: Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, Keith Bogans, Reggie Evans, Brook Lopez
Atlanta Hawks: Devin Harris, Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Al Horford, Zaza Pachulia
Advanced Statistics:
Brooklyn Nets: 105.1 offensive rating (9th), 103.4 defensive rating (17th), 90.43 possessions per game (29th)
Atlanta Hawks: 100.8 offensive rating (19th), 100.7 defensive rating (9th), 93.68 possessions per game (18th)
As for the reaction to his return? Just ask Rod Boone:
Joe just walked into the arena. It’s like he’s the mayor of this piece. Hugs for everybody. #Nets
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) January 16, 2013
Go Nets!
