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Nets Believe the Barclays Center Crowd Will Provide a Home Court Advantage

EAST RUTHERFORD – It’s time for the Brooklyn Nets to hold serve. And that’s exactly what they intend to do.

After losing the first two games of their Eastern Conference playoff series in Atlanta, the Nets get the Hawks in Brooklyn and they’re hoping some Northern hospitality will help in Game 3.

It was Joe Johnson who noted earlier in the week that since the Nets began their playoff push, the fans in Barclays Center have been outstanding. The Nets won five straight and 7-of-9 at home down the stretch.

Johnson specifically recalled the support the Nets received on April 8th, when the Hawks edged the Nets 114-111. On Friday, Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young said a home crowd could definitely have a positive impact.

“I love playing in that atmosphere," Lopez said referring to the April 8th game. “It’s a lot of fun to be in. It’s what you dream of when you grow up."

There should be plenty of playoff atmosphere on Saturday afternoon (3 p.m.; YES) in Barclays Center when the Nets and Hawks meet in Game 3. A limited number of tickets remain.

After losing the four regular-season games to the Hawks by an average of 17 points, the Nets have lost the first two playoff games by a an average of six points.

Can the home court advantage help?

“Definitely," Young said. “Me being in the playoffs several times, it definitely helps. You have the hometown crowd on your side and you’re with your teammates. And just the energy and the atmosphere is flowing your way when you’re in your home building. You want that on your side. You want that energy. And you want that excitement."