G73 Brooklyn Nets vs Atlanta Hawks: Nets Try to Make It 7-8 in March
The Nets looked lethargic in the road game 109-128 loss against the Wizards in the back end of a back-to-back game. Jeremy Lin and the starters started well leading 17-13 within 5 minutes of the first quarter but the bench was quickly outscored 5-18 the rest of the first quarter as the Wizards led 31-22. The tired legs from the previous night’s win against the Suns might have explained the lack of energy. The Nets lost the rebounding battle 38-46. Lin finished with 14 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 block in 20 minutes.
Nets vs Hawks Matchup
The Hawks may have lost six straight games against good teams but they will have Paul Millsap and Kent Bazemore back from untimely injuries. The Nets would need to repeat their high energy in the close loss 105-100 on March 8 in Atlanta. Lin was motivated to help Coach Atkinson win against his former team but it was not meant to be. He will get a second chance today.
Two weeks ago, the Atlanta Hawks were facing what appeared to be a favorable stretch of games and had hopes of playing their way into a first-round homecourt playoff advantage.
But a six-game losing streak not only scuttled those hopes, it has complicated their postseason plans.
The Hawks (37-35) will try to end the skid on Sunday against the last-place Brooklyn Nets (15-57), the team with the worst record in the NBA.
Atlanta lost 100-97 at Milwaukee on Friday, leaving the teams tied for fifth place, although the Hawks own the tiebreaker. Atlanta is one game ahead of No. 7 Indiana and two games ahead of No. 8 Miami.
“Whether it’s a defensive rebound or a better decision, those plays add up to winning, and we’ve just got to make a few more of those winning plays,” Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said.
It would also help the Hawks to get forward Paul Millsap and guard Kent Bazemore back from untimely injuries.
Millsap, who averages a team-high 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, has missed the last four games because of left knee tightness. Bazemore, who averages 11 points and is the Hawks’ most intensive player, has missed three games because of a right knee bone bruise.
KEY OF THE GAME: If the Nets can come out with energy, keep the turnovers low, continue to attack the rim, provide strong bench plays and sustain their recently improved defense, the Nets might be able to steal a win on the road. It will be a nice gift by Jeremy Lin and the Nets to Coach Kenny Atkinson.
Let’s hope and pray JLin will stay healthy and return to lead the Nets to win more games!
Let’s go, JLin and the Nets!
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