Opponent: Detroit Pistons
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Location: The Palace of Auburn Hills
Watch: YES Network
Listen: WCBS 880AM
The Brooklyn Nets have played their best basketball in the month of March posting a 7-9 record. The Nets will try to add to its own version of March Madness with their eighth win of the month against the Pistons – a team that they beat last Tuesday on Brook Lopez’s buzzer-beater.
The struggling Pistons have lost five straight, including a 97-96 loss to the Miami Heat that potentially knocked off their playoff hopes. They have also lost eight of their last nine games.
Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson has not played the last two games due to “rest” and will not be suiting up in Tuesday’s action. Stan Van Gundy has been rolling with Ish Smith as the starter and he will go head-to-head with Jeremy Lin.
Someone to keep an eye on tonight is the Pistons’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. The 23-year-old will be a restricted free agent this summer and many expect the Nets to offer him a luxurious contract. The two-way wing player is averaging 14 points shooting 40.5% from the field, 36.3% from three and 83.6 from the charity stripe. He scored 19 points in the meeting between the two teams last week.
Brook Lopez has dominated the Andre Drummond and Pistons in the two meetings so far this season. Aside from his first career buzzer-beater, Lopez is averaging 31.5 points in two games against the Pistons, while shooting 55% from the field.
3 Things to Watch for in Nets-Pistons:
1. Brooklyn’s March Madness:
The Brooklyn Nets have been a surprise team during the month of March. Jeremy Lin is back healthy and Brook Lopez is draining game-winners. Most importantly, they’ve won seven games! The Nets look to make it eight tonight against the Pistons.
2, Brook Lopez:
Have to show some love for the Big Fella. He’s averaging 21.3 points per game in the month of March while shooting 38% from three. He’s also averaging 1.2 blocks per game. Did I mention his game-winner against the Pistons? That’s right, they face off again tonight. Lopez seems to like playing against the Pistons as he’s averaging 31.5 points against them.
3. Future Net Caldwell-Pope?
It’s no secret the Nets are interested in Caldwell-Pope. Can he turn in another good performance against his potential suitor? More importantly, can the Nets get another win against his team?
