The Brooklyn Nets will sit Paul Pierce Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies as he rests a bruised shooting hand, starting forward Alan Anderson in his place, the team announced. They will also start second-year point guard Tyshawn Taylor in place of the injured Deron Williams tonight, the guard’s first career start.
With Williams sidelined, the Nets have started Shaun Livingston in seven games this season, and he’s still active tonight. But according to beat reporters, coach Jason Kidd wanted to give Livingston a bit of rest:
Kidd says Tyshawn has been playing well, but Nets also want to scale back Livingston's minutes. Says they've asked him to do a lot.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 30, 2013
In ten stints off the bench this season, Taylor has averaged 14.7 points and 7.2 assists per 36 minutes, shooting 37 percent from the field. He’s the team’s most athletic guard, and has been relentless attacking the rim in his short stints.
Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett, and Brook Lopez round out the team’s starting 5.
For the Grizzlies, center and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol is out indefinitely with an MCL sprain, and according to Rod Boone of Newsday, they’ll also be without power forward Zach Randolph:
Zach Randolph (ingrown toenail) is out tonight. #Nets catch another break. So no Marc Gasol or Zach.
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) December 1, 2013
