Coming off a difficult loss to Charlotte, the Nets will hit the road for the first time this season with a back-to-back against two more fearsome Southeast Division foes. Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic are up first in a matchup between two of the best true centers in the league.
The Nets (2-2) lost their Wednesday night game against the Bobcats in the same fashion in which they won their first two games: leading double digits with less than five minutes to go, they couldn’t stop Charlotte from earning its first win of the season. Through four games, the Nets have gotten some great performances out of arguably their three most important players: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. Favors, in particular, has opened a lot of eyes, nearly averaging a double-double through the first week-and-a-half of his rookie campaign. The Nets also have their starting power forward, Troy Murphy, back from injury will look to increase his workload following his debut Wednesday night.
After being held out of Thursday’s practice due to a sprained AC joint he suffered in his shoulder on Wednesday night, Harris felt fine during Friday morning’s shootaround has been cleared to play against the Magic. Lopez, who also incurred hurt his shoulder against the Bobcats, participated in Thursday’s practice and will also play Friday night.
The Magic (2-1) have been involved in three blowouts this season and the one that didn’t go their way will probably stick with them for quite a while. Last Friday, the Magic faced off against its biggest rival, the Heat, in Miami’s home opener. A stifling defensive performance from Heat crushed the Magic to the tune of a 96-70 Miami win. Orlando’s had to hear a lot of talk about how it’ll cede its Southeast Division crown to Miami this year and couldn’t have been pleased to suffer such a big loss in a nationally-televised outing. After having a game with the Knicks in New York postponed due to difficulties with the renovations at Madison Square Garden, Orlando finally returned to the court on Wednesday night, when they absolutely dismantled the lowly Timberwolves in Orlando by 42 points, 128-86.
New Jersey Nets (2-2) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Devin Harris: 18.8 ppg, 8.3 apg
- SG Anthony Morrow: 8.3 ppg, .382 fg%
- SF Travis Outlaw: 7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg
- PF Troy Murphy: 2.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg
- C Brook Lopez: 22.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.3 bpg
Orlando Magic (2-1) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Jameer Nelson: 10.0 ppg, 5.3 apg
- SG Vince Carter: 14.0 ppg, .552 fg%
- SF Ryan Anderson: 12.3 ppg, .500 fg%
- PF Rashard Lewis: 8.7 ppg, .313 fg%
- C Dwight Howard: 20.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 4.0 bpg