Brooklyn Nets: 3 things to watch in a matinee with Minnesota

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Brooklyn Nets Allen Crabbe (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The Brooklyn Nets open a 4-game homestand Friday afternoon with a noon Eastern tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have lost 2 straight.

The Brooklyn Nets look to improve their lackluster 3-4 record at Barclays Center Friday afternoon when they open a four-game homestand with a matinee matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nets (8-11) could be shorthanded in the middle for the second time this season against Minnesota, with backup center Ed Davis questionable with a sprained left ankle.

The last time the teams met on Nov. 12, starting center Jarrett Allen was out with an illness.

Ed Davis (left ankle sprain) is questionable for the #Nets matinee tomorrow vs. the #Timberwolves. Rodions Kurucs will be on G League assignment.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) November 22, 2018

In that Nov. 12 game, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson opted to start 6-foot-7 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at center and All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns responded with a huge game, scoring 25 points with 21 rebounds and two blocked shots as the Timberwolves snapped a five-game losing streak with a 120-113 win.

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That win over Brooklyn was the first of three straight for Minnesota after trading All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier that day, but they’ve since lost their last two, with all five games being played in Minneapolis.

Home court has not been a distinct advantage for the Nets since they moved to Brooklyn for the 2012-13 season. Last season, the Nets were just 15-26 at home while going a respectable 13-28 on the road.

The last time the Nets had a winning record at Barclays Center was their second season there, in 2013-14, when they were 28-13. Brooklyn was 26-15 in its inaugural season while posting one of the best road marks in the NBA at 23-18.

The Nets will close out November with four straight home games before playing nine of their 15 games in December at Barclays, so momentum at home will be a big factor in the next five weeks as Brooklyn tries to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Nets are currently ninth in the conference, 1½ games behind both the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics and two back of the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, who are in a virtual tie for fifth in the East.

Here are three things to watch as the Nets battle visiting Minnesota Friday afternoon.