W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks; April 2nd, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Wednesday, April 2^nd, 2014

Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks

Pre-Game News and Notes

The New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets will be facing off in a big game Wednesday night, as the Knick are fighting to get into the playoffs and the Nets are looking to move up in the standings. The Knicks are coming off their most successful west coast trip since 1999-2000 and will look to ride that momentum tonight against their cross-town rivals. For the Nets, they played last night and handled the Houston Rockets rather easily. Here are some things to look for tonight in the Battle of the Boroughs.

-Player News and Notes

The Knicks are staring at a big problem tonight, as Tim Hardaway Jr. is questionable with an ankle injury. Hardaway Jr. injured the ankle in the waning moments of the Knicks win Monday night over the Utah Jazz. If he is unable to go, Iman Shumpert will be in line for an increase in minutes and big role in the game plan. Amar’e Stoudemire should be back in the lineup for the Knicks tonight after sitting out Monday with a planned day of rest.

For the Nets, they will still be without Kevin Garnett. Garnett is not expected to make a return to the lineup until next week at the earliest. Andrei Kirilenko was not able to play last night for the Nets and his status is up in the air for the game tonight. Same goes for Marcus Thornton, who missed Tuesday’s game with back problems.

-Match-Up Of the Game: Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

These two have matched up together since Anthony was traded to the Knicks from the Denver Nuggets and will continue to be the match-up to watch tonight as well. The Nets have begun using a smaller lineup with Garnett sidelined, with Pierce filling the role Anthony does with the Knicks in a smaller lineup. No matter what position they lineup at tonight, the two of them should be matched up together a majority of the night.

-Who Replaces Hardaway Jr.?

If Hardaway Jr. is unable to go tonight because of his ankle, the first player in line to take over his minutes will be Shumpert. Shumpert's struggles have been well documented this season, but the Knicks will need to him to look more like he did on the Texas Triangle trip tonight to overcome the Nets. Shumpert had a strong game offensively in the Knicks victory over the Nets this season, scoring 17 points, but struggled mightily in the loss to the Nets scoring only five points.

Where Shumpert will help the Knicks is the defensive end. Shumpert is far and away the better defender compared to Hardaway Jr., and that will be important tonight as the Knicks and Nets are both playing good basketball right now. Whichever team can get the timely stops will be able to come out ahead tonight.

-Front Court Battle

The Knicks will have a huge edge on the interior tonight and they must take advantage of it. Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler have combined to be quite a force on the inside recently for the Knicks, resulting in much better results in the win-loss column. Tonight they have to take advantage of the opportunities that will be given to them in Miles Plumlee and Andray Blatche.

With the Nets going small, the Knicks need to pound in the paint and attack the basket. The Nets do not have any rim protectors and should be able to make a living in the interior. If they are able to do that, it will open up the perimeter for players such as J.R. Smith and Anthony to knock down three pointers. 

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W2W4: Phoenix Suns vs Brooklyn Nets March 17th, 2014

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 17th, 2014

W2W4: Phoenix Suns vs. Brooklyn Nets

Pre Game News and Notes

barclayscenter.com

The Brooklyn Nets will be back home after a tough loss to the Wizards in Washington on Saturday night, as on Monday they will be hosting one of the biggest surprises in the NBA in the Phoenix Suns, who are coming off a win against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. The Nets head into Monday’s game with a (33-31) record, which is 3.5 games behind the Raptors in the Atlantic Division.

Match-Up of the Game: Goran Dragic vs. Deron Williams

The Suns were supposed to be NBA’s worst teams this year, but with the great play from their Point Guard Goran Dragic, they are looking like a possible playoff team. Dragic is coming into Monday’s game averaging 20.5 points, 6.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. For Deron Williams he will have his hands full with Dragic, as Williams has struggled a lot in the last two games besides one clutch shot in Miami. In the loss to the Wizards, who have a great Point Guard in John Wall, Williams shot just four of 14 from the field.

- Home-Court

In the Barclays Center the Nets have been very good especially of late, and with a nice opportunity to gain a half of game against the Raptors, it makes Monday an important game. The Suns proved most recently on Sunday that they can win on the East Coast, as they scored 121 points against the Raptors, but as the Nets know second half of back to backs can be tricky for a team. The Suns are sitting one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies in the ultra tough Western Conference, so every game means a lot to them if they are going to get into the eighth seed.

- Make It Nine

Kevin Garnett will be missing his ninth straight game for the Nets due to back spasms, so once again it will be Mason Plumlee in the starting lineup. Mason won’t be the only Plumlee in the game, as his brother Miles is on the Suns, and playing very well for them. Mason’s brother Miles is averaging 8.5 points, and 8.1 rebounds per game. It is likely the two brothers will be guarding each other a bit in this game, which should be fun to see who wins that battle.

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