Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets Verse San Antonio Spurs Preview

By Anthony Parisi

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The Brooklyn Nets have had recent success in Oklahoma City and they continued that trend as they beat the Thunder last night. The Nets are hoping to end a trend of recent woes against the San Antonio Spurs who have hurt the Nets in the past. The last time the Nets beat the Spurs in San Antonio was on January 22, 2002, so the Nets are long overdue for a victory.

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Who’s in and who’s out

San Antonio Spurs:

Questionable: Marco Belinelli

Doubtful: Matt Bonner, Cory Joseph

Out: Patty Mills, Tiago Splitter

Brooklyn Nets:

Out: Kevin Garnett(rest), Andrei Kirilenko(leave of absence)

Projected Starting Lineups

San Antonio Spurs:

Point Guard: Tony Parker

Shooting Guard: Danny Green

Small Forward: Kawhi Leonard

Power Forward: Tim Duncan

Center: Boris Diaw

Brooklyn Nets:

Point Guard: Deron Williams

Shooting Guard: Bojan Bogdanovic

Small Forward: Joe Johnson

Power Forward: Mirza Teletovic

Center: Brook Lopez

Keys to the Game:

San Antonio Spurs:

Both teams are coming off of a win last night the only difference was that the Spurs won in blowout fashion. That cushion allowed for the Spurs to let their aging players get well needed rest. Tim Duncan played only 23 minutes, Tony Parker played 25 minutes and Manu Ginobli played in only 17 minutes. On the other hand, the Nets were forced to play their veterans a ton yesterday because they were in a tightly contested game. Joe Johnson played in 32 minutes, Deron Williams, 31 minutes and Brook Lopez played in 34 minutes. The Spurs need to attack the Nets right out of the gate and finish them off early while giving them no hope of pulling off the upset.

Brooklyn Nets:

The Nets need Brook Lopez to dominate. The Spurs do not have an answer for Lopez down low and if Lopez can establish a low post presence early and often, that will space the floor and allow for open jump shots. Deron Williams also needs to attack the basket and Joe Johnson needs to take smart, unselfish shots. The Nets have been horrible from the three point line thus far on the road so if they can make some three’s that would help their chances as well.

Prediction

San Antonio Spurs 97 Brooklyn Nets 99

The Nets are due for a win in San Antonio and tonight I see the curse coming to an end. Bojan Bogdanovic struggled mightily yesterday and I see him breaking out and having a big performance tonight. Joe Johnson hasn’t been clutch since he called his teammates selfish, but the Johnson curse was broken when the Nets ended their five game losing streak last night so what better way would it be for Johnson to regain Nets fans love by hitting a game winning shot tonight. Johnson will hit a buzzer beater tonight and the Nets will celebrate in San Antonio.

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