Yesterday was a dream if you know anything about college basketball … or the upcoming NBA Draft.
A.J. Dybansta dropped 35 and 10 (despite the loss), Cameron Boozer had 22 and 13 (despite the tight win), Darius Acuff Jr. did Darius Acuff Jr. like things. It was great and with the Nets have a lottery pick, likely a high one and two seconds at 33 and 44, there’s a big positive. Watching the NCAA tournament gave me some hope, because I know that one, two or three of these players will be playing in Barclays one day soon.
As Ziaire Williams said two days ago at a Special Olympics event at the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center, “We have something very special brewing here in Brooklyn. A year or two from now we’ll be in the mix for the playoffs and winning a lot more games.” Yup, hope springs eternal.
March Madness also helped me to forget about current circumstances at Barclays, particulary the beating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jared McCain, and the OKC Thunder gave the Nets a few days ago. Was it expected? Maybe, but man did it feel like EVERYTHING went in for the Thunder.
Tonight, the Nets will hope to bring some intensity back in their building as they will be taking on their crosstown rivals in the New York Knicks. The Knicks, who are third in the Eastern Conference with a 45-25 record, are looking to prove that they can get over the hump in this year’s playoffs. With the season winding down, games like this will have separate meanings for both squads. For the Nets, tank, tank, tank. For the Knicks, use this game as preparation to get ready to win a championship.
Where To Watch
Catch today’s action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App. You.’ll also be able to watch on MSG
Injury Report
Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain), Noah Clowney (right wrist sprain), Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery), and Egor (left plantar fascia injury management) will be out. Ziaire Williams is questionable with left hand soreness. The three two-ways will be available as will 10-day Malachi Smith. Expect them to get a good run.
For the Knicks, Josh Hart (knee) and Deuce McBride (pelvis) will be out of play.
The Game
If I were to be a Knicks fan, I would be concerned about my chances in this year’s playoffs. Despite winning their last four games, the Knicks have lost key games against opponents with similar championship hopes. On February 19, 126-111 loss to the Pistons. February 24, 15 point loss to the Cavs. March 4th, three point loss to OKC, and so on and so forth. If the Knicks want to bring a championship to the Mecca, wins against the top teams matter, especially with everyone at the point where they are getting ready for April.
The Knicks chances at success start with Jalen Brunson, who will most likely have his way tonight. Averaging 26.3 points on 46% shooting, Brunson is a master of creating his own shot with his level of pace. Karl-Anthony Towns has a chance to go off as well, as he grew up right across the bridge and down the turnpike to Piscataway. With averages of 20 and 11.8 rebounds, Towns could get Claxton in foul trouble early with his level of physicality. And there is no back-up. None.
For the Nets, the main objective is just to have fun. I gotta say it is really cool to see all the Long Island guys get their shot and show what they can do. The world is noticing it as well.
Then, there’s the tank which with the loss of Michael Porter Jr. is now in high gear.
And of course, we have to note that if the Nets go down tonight, it will be their 14th straight loss in the Battle of the Boroughs, extending what is already a record in the Nets vs. Knicks rivalry. Do not expect to hear many Nets fans either. This one has the potential to be quite ugly.
Player to Watch
Mikal Bridges is not having a good time. The former Net has become the whipping boy for Knicks fans who for whatever reason are disappointed in their team’s season. Add to that what the Nets got for Bridges — five first rounders, all but one unprotected; a first round swap, also unprotected; a second rounder later traded for two future seconds, etc. etc. — and what the Knicks agreed to pay him — four years and $150 million — and you have a recipe for fan angst. “Worst trade ever” is a growing mantra, even if inaccurate.
Indeed things reached a bit of low point the other night when Mike Brown played him for only 21 minutes.
“We all have to play better. It’s no secret Mikal hasn’t shot the ball well, but he’s given us life at times and given us life the right way at times,” Brown said. “I thought he was fantastic at Indiana, on both ends of the floor. It’s not just Mikal, it’s us collectively as a group.”
Not a great endorsement. You might call it damning by faint praise.
And indeed, he has been in a slump. As Javesh Pagar of SI wrote this week:
Brown is not wrong to point at the bigger picture, but the numbers make it hard to look away from Bridges specifically. Over his last six games, he is averaging just 6.5 points on 32 percent from the floor and under 21 percent from three. He went scoreless against the Lakers, got benched in crunch time against the Clippers, and has not reached 15 points in six straight outings.
Of course, should the Knicks win it all, still a good if not great possibility — and Bridges is a key part of their first NBA championship in 53 years, New York will have won the trade, period. The O’Brien Trophy trumps all.
And if he has a good game tonight, Knick fans will turn again on the 29-year-old and anoint him savior of the day. It’s the nature of the beast at MSG.
The Vault
I had to.
FYI, Jay-Z’s company, Roc Nation, has announced the music titan will perform two hometown shows at Yankee Stadium over the summer.
More reading: Posting and Toasting. SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter
- Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
- New York Knicks Game Notes – New York Knicks
- Knicks take on the Nets, seek 5th straight win – AP
- Knicks’ Josh Hart to sit out vs. Nets due to right knee issue – Jared Schwartz – New York Post
