[ad_1]
The main thing is this. Kevin Durant, one of the most transcendent players in league history – and the best story of the season with his spectacular comeback – was embarrassed by the NBA on Friday night. Even though he tested positive for the coronavirus almost a year ago and tested negative three times on Friday, he was rocked in front of an international audience through no fault of his own and may now have to sit in several games because of what can nicely be called the confusing league, health and safety protocols.
And, oh yeah, the Nets lost to the Raptors.
The opponent tonight will be the Philadelphia 76ers. Philly finds himself at the top of the Eastern Conference and with Doc Rivers leading the series, they hope to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since Allen Iverson’s year MVP in 2001. They were on a streak of four. back-to-back wins, but that stopped after Thursday they were washed out by an under-staffed Portland Trail Blazers team. Things are happening.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on television. WFAN 101.9 FM on the radio. Primetime tip off to get the party started after 8 p.m.
Injuries
Spencer Dinwiddie and Nicolas Claxton are out. Kevin Durant has not been to Philadelphia and will not be playing. We’ll likely find out later today how long KD will be out.
Mike Scott is absent. Shake Milton is hand in hand. Terrance Ferguson is on COVID-19 protocols. Ben Simmons missed Thursday’s game with strain in his left calf. No word on his availability for this one. Seth Curry was taken out of the game due to illness, so no word on his status either. Curry was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and has returned to the field.
The game
Brooklyn won the first meet on Jan.7. To put it mildly, the Nets are incredibly different from this first game. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving didn’t play and the James Harden trade was days away from the downside.
One issue that remains the same from the first meeting is how to slow down Joel Embiid. Our grown up big son Jarrett Allen did an admirable job against Embiid the first time around, but as we know Allen now resides in Cleveland. This leaves DeAndre Jordan as the main big one to fight Embiid.
As Reggie Perry heads for the G-League bubble, new (better) guy Norvel Pelle is expected to run as well. Pelle was a 76er, so he’s used to fighting Embiid in the paint. He hopes to provide a much needed boost in home defense and rebound for a Nets team that needs it most. As this is his first action this season, don’t expect too much from the new guy. Embiid suffered a hyperextended knee on Thursday, but came back in the same game and dominated. Embiid is the most important player on the team and his success + health is of the utmost importance.
Here is an interesting wrinkle. It’s the second night of a back-to-back for Brooklyn. They’re out for two days before starting ANOTHER back-to-back next week, this time in Detroit and back against Indiana. And the following week, they have a West Coast B2B, taking them to Sacramento and Phoenix. Steve Nash and the coaching staff will need to make sure everyone is kept cool as the schedule tightens.
Philly was the finalist in the James Harden draw, and if these teams go head to head in the playoffs, it’ll be a major story to watch. Harden has been excellent for the Nets and as the Nets’ offense continues to build up its pace, Harden will continue to pose challenges for opponents.
Player to watch: Tobias Harris
For just about every championship team and candidate you can think of, they all have a perimeter marker that you can rely on to get a bucket for you when you need them. Can Harris be that guy here? He’s always been a solid player, but he’s stepped up in a major way this season. He is a stone’s throw from a 50/40/90 season and has been a perfect addition for Embiid.
From the vault
I’m in the mood Aaliyah today
More reading: Liberty Ballers
[ad_2]
Source link