One can only imagine that the Nets spent last night taking the trip up from Philadelphia back to Newark as one disappointed bunch.
One of the Nets’ biggest problems this year has been closing games, as they’ve ended up on the wrong side of a number of close games this year. They had no such trouble last night, dropping their matchup with the lowly 76ers by 16 points.
New Jersey will see the return tonight of power forward Troy Murphy, who has been hampered by back and foot injuries which have limited him to just five games this season.
The Nets will hope to find a spark against the Portland Trail Blazers who, at 8-7, have lost four of their last six. All-Star guard Brandon Roy missed three straight games prior to this weekend, but returned in Portland’s loss to New Orleans. Roy’s knee problem is feared to be an issue that could be relevant for some time and could make or break the Blazers’ postseason hopes in the loaded Western Conference.
Portland has already lost oft-injured former No. 1 overall pick Greg Oden to season-ended knee surgery. The Blazers could be getting a boost tonight from the return of reserve big man Joel Przybilla, who is a possibility to make his season debut after his own knee surgery.
Portland’s depth has helped it rank among the top 10 in fewest points allowed this season, but it ranks just 25th in points scored.
Portland Trail Blazers (8-7) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Andre Miller: 13.6 ppg, 7.6 apg
- SG Brandon Roy: 18.8 ppg, 1.4 spg
- SF Nicolas Batum: 13.3 ppg, 1.3 spg
- PF LaMarcus Aldridge: 18.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg
- C Marcus Camby: 6.6 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.7 bpg
New Jersey Nets (5-11) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Devin Harris: 17.8 ppg, 6.8 apg, 1.0 spg
- SG Anthony Morrow: 12.4 ppg, .462 fg%
- SF Travis Outlaw: 10.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg
- PF Kris Humphries: 7.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg
- C Brook Lopez: 18.6 ppg, 1.7 bpg