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Brooklyn Nets vs. Phoenix Suns preview: Nets look for a pre Thanksgiving win

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Sacramento Kings v Phoenix Suns
Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images

The Nets are looking for one more impressive victory on the road. Tonight, they’ll face the star studded Suns led by Devin Booker and our old friend Kevin Durant.

So we know they’re pesky. But are they more than that? That’s the question we’re wondering after the Brooklyn Nets pulled off an improbable comeback against the Golden State Warriors on Monday night. The Nets have managed to surprise everyone in the NBA so far, and we’ll what Jordi Fernandez and the guys do next.

The opponent tonight is looking to get healthy and back to business. The Phoenix Suns were riding high a few weeks ago, but injuries — particularly to one player — slowed them down. They’re getting closer to full strength and they look like themselves again. They beat the brakes off the Los Angeles Lakers in Commissioner’s Cup play last night, 127-120.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. WFAN on radio. The holiday party is getting started after 9;00 p.m. ET.

Injuries

Woo boy. Bojan Bogdanovic, Day’ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, and Cam Thomas are out. Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Johnson, and Nic Claxton are questionable. Clowney (ankle) showed up at shootaround in a walking boot and crutches.

Night two of a back-to-back so we’ll see who will miss this one. Collin Gillepsie is out for sure.

The game

Tonight, we will be seeing a player who had his fair share of memorable moments as a Brooklyn Net..

I mean, that’s a pretty memorable moment!

But in all seriousness, we’ll be seeing our old friend Kevin Durant tonight. KD just got back last night after being out due to a calf injury. How did he look?

Sounds familiar! When KD plays, the Suns defense is pretty solid as compared to the disaster it was when he was out with injury. On offense, he’s still one of the smoothest operators the game of basketball has ever seen. When he gets to his spots, it’s automatic. He’s gotten to the rim a bit more than usual, and when he’s there, it’s a guaranteed two points:

He got asked last night about seeing his former team, and he said the following

It’s all love, always.

The Suns under Mike Budenholzer have made it a point to shoot more 3=pointers, and so far so good. Coming into tonight’s game, the Suns are sixth in threes attempted and are 12th in percentage. They’ll be matched up with a Nets team that is fifth in attempts and fourth in efficiency. For the Nets, they’ll have to keep the ball moving at a 1000 miles an hour so they can get good shots up. The team has built good chemistry thus far and it’s helped them remain competitive even when their key rotation players have been out.

Speaking of rotation players, Jalen Wilson, just turned 24, and Ziare Williams, just turned 23, have made the absolute most out of their opportunities. The kids were instrumental in the second half as the Nets pulled off their rally.

Before we go, our friends at Bright Side of the Sun are holding their annual Bright Side night on January 9 vs the Atlanta Hawks. It’s a Phoenix institution and let’s read the words of the late, great Dave King on why it’s so important.

Player to watch: Devin Booker

Great players always figure it out eventually. During the Suns’ five game losing streak, Book shot 43/33/92 as he didn’t have his All-Star running mates with him. Even still, you saw the flashes of excellence that have made Booker one of the best guards in the game. Now that everyone is back at full strength, he’ll have less to carry on his shoulders. Amazingly, this is Booker’s tenth season as a professional. At just 28 years old, he has even more good basketball ahead of him.

Like Durant, he’s a midrange dynamo but has worked to add more threes into his shot diet. His percentages are down a bit from last season, but he’ll likely get to his career averages by the time we see the Suns again. For the Nets, they hope he has an off night before they head home.

Dennis Schroder will have a lot on his plate tonight. Dennis outdueled Stephen Curry on Monday night — yes, that’s right, we said it — as he hit for a game high 31 points:

Dennis has taken on more responsibilities this season, and he’s paid it off with his highest scoring average since the COVID-shortened season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. If/when Brooklyn gets back to full strength, Schroder can scale things down a bit (unless of course he gets traded.) But in the meantime, he’s more than willing and able to run the show and make big time baskets.

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More reading: Bright Side of the Sun, SB Nation NBA