Deron Williams Strains Hamstring, May Not Play Vs. Nets:
Deron Williams’ return to Brooklyn may be put on hold. Williams left Dallas’ game vs. Toronto in the third quarter with a strained left hamstring.
"The last thing I want to do is miss this game tomorrow," said Williams, who had been experiencing tightness in his left hamstring and felt a pop during the third quarter, to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. "It's definitely frustrating."
If he plays, Wednesday would be Williams first game in Brooklyn since leaving the Nets over the offseason. Williams spent five seasons with the Nets, averaging 16.6 points and 7.5 assists per game during his tenure. The point guard is averaging 14.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game with the Dallas Mavericks.
Nets Top Bulls:
The Brooklyn Nets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 105-102 win over the Chicago Bulls on Monday night. Brook Lopez (21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Thaddeus Young (16 points and 13 rebounds) led the way for the Nets, who led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter and held on for the three-point win. Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic each had 12 points as four of the Nets’ five starters hit double-digits.
The Nets’ defense was just as crucial on Monday, holding the Bulls without a point for nearly five minutes in the third quarter and coming up with timely steals to preserve their narrow fourth-quarter lead.
The bench also came through offensively, as Wayne Ellington scored a season-high 13 points and Willie Reed scored a career-high 11. With the win, the Nets avenged an opening night loss to the Bulls on Oct. 28.
Nets vs. Mavericks:
The Brooklyn Nets look for their fifth win in six games against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. The Nets are looking to build off of Monday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, where six players scored in double-digits and the defense held Chicago without a point for a nearly five-minute stretch.
Historically, Brook Lopez has feasted on the Mavericks, averaging 20+ ppg in 11 games vs. Dallas. The Nets are 4-2 vs. the Mavericks since moving to Brooklyn.
Mavericks/Dirk’s Milestone:
The Dallas Mavericks have alternated wins and losses this month, playing to a 5-6 record in December. Since a six-game winning streak in November, the Mavericks have gone 6-9.
Eighteen-year veteran Dirk Nowitzki leads the Mavericks with 17.3 points-per-game and is 10 points shy of being the NBA’s sixth all-time leading scorer and could pass Shaquille O’Neal on Wednesday night.
Shane Larkin:
Shane Larkin (concussion) is listed as probable for Wednesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks after missing the last four games. Larkin is averaging 7.2 points, 3.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game this season.