Jan. 4-7
The Brooklyn Nets will make a three-game road trip, their first road trip of 2019, over a four-day period:.
- Jan. 4 at Memphis Grizzlies
- Jan. 6 at Chicago Bulls
- Jan. 7 at Boston Celtics
Brooklyn’s first game will be against the Memphis Grizzlies on Jan. 4. The Brooklyn Nets can pull off a win against the Grizzlies but must accomplish two tasks; control the opposing ball movement and protect the frontcourt.
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The Grizzlies are one of the best in the league when it comes to moving the ball on the offensive end. Memphis is filled with good shooters and have talented frontcourt players. The Brooklyn Nets must take control and limit their ball movement.
If Brooklyn can manage to limit their ball movement, the Grizzlies will lack quality shots and open opportunities on the offensive end.
Memphis’ frontcourt will give the Nets a big problem throughout the game. The Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson, who is a dominant stretch big. He can drive the ball at a high level looking for contact and shoot the 3 ball at a consistent level.
To go along with Jackson’s all-around play is the challenge of guarding Marc Gasol. Gasol, who is arguably one of the most underrated big men in the NBA, will be a problem for Brooklyn. The veteran big man can shoot the ball and be a dominant force in the paint.
He will be a hard guard for the Nets.
If Brooklyn can lock down Gasol and Jackson, they can steal an away win and beat the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Nets have won their last two visits to Memphis, including a 98-88 victory last Nov. 26, and their 122 points in a March 6, 2017, marked their highest scoring output ever against the Grizzlies
The Nets will face the Chicago Bulls two days later. Brooklyn can pick up a win against the Bulls and should be the game of this three-game road trip they must win.
The Bulls have struggled on recent years but have done a great job this offseason improving their frontcourt. The Nets must play great frontcourt defense in order to win this game.
Robin Lopez, Jabari Parker, Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter will be the players Brooklyn must control. These frontcourt players can not only run up the scoreboard, but play great team basketball.
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On the offensive end of the floor, Brooklyn must play great team basketball and capitalize off of their wing shooting. The Bulls struggled last season defending the 3-point line, giving opposing shooters too much room.
If Brooklyn can get open shots and capitalize consistently, this game should be a win.
The Nets won their last game at the United Center last April 7, with their 124-96 victory marking their largest road win of the 2017-18 season. It also snapped a three-game losing streak in Chicago.
The final game of this three-game road trip will be a tough matchup against the Boston Celtics. Brooklyn will have a tough time holding a lead against the Celtics.
The Nets must control the Celtics from going on scoring runs and play great defense from mid-range in order to win this game. It is not likely Brooklyn can pull off this away game win if the Celtics are fully healthy, but the Nets must play high-level basketball in order to pull off this upset.
Brooklyn’s last win in Boston was Jan. 2, 2016, and the Nets have lost four straight in the Hub since.