Tides have turned for the Brooklyn Nets… for now.
We called this matchup a tankfest a couple weeks back. Now? The Brooklyn Nets are less than a game out from the final play-in spot, winners in four of its last five, and 7-3 in the last 10 games. The Wizards remain awful with a league-worst 9-47 record, but they beat the Nets by 17 on Feb. 5.
There’s really no telling where the Nets are headed — straight for the lottery or right back in the middle of the pack. More teams like the 76ers and Spurs are seemingly tanking, whether it be intentional or not. Fact of the matter is that the Nets are not a good team on paper but they’re too good to be a bottom-five team in the NBA. That’s in large part due to head coach Jordi Fernandez, too.
Defense will be the key as it’s been this entire month. Pro-tankers… we’re sorry? Anti-tankers… best of luck?
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NETS VS. WIZARDS | 2.24
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Opponent: Washington Wizards (9-47)
Tune In: YES Network; WFAN Radio
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GAME PREVIEW | JORDAN GREENE
Injury Report: No Cam Thomas (hamstring), D’Angelo Russell (ankle), Noah Clowney (ankle), or DeAnthony Melton (torn ACL.) Dariq Whitehead and Tosan Evbuomwan will be in Long Island where they’re trying to get into the G League post-season.
For the Wizards, rookie Alex Sarr (ankle), newly acquired Khris Middleton (ankle), also newly acquired Marcus Smart (finger). Malcolm Brogdon (ankle), and Saddiq Bey knee will all be out.
The Game: Still without D’Angelo Russell, the Nets have done a good job utilizing the combination of Killian Hayes, Reece Beekman and Trendon Watford, a 10-day, two-way and vets minimum player. Watford, who had another good game with 16 points and six assists, has done more than enough when he takes up the point guard duties and makes it his job to do the right thing. And of course, when Claxton is giving you five blocks on the defensive end, good things will happen. If the Nets can be successful on both ends of the floor like this past weekend, good things will happen… or is it bad things? Depends on your perspective.
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