Brooklyn Nets vs. Golden State Warriors:
7:30 p.m., Barclays Center
TV: YES Network
Radio: WCBS 880
The Brooklyn Nets face their stiffest test of the season on Thursday night when they hook up with the league-leading Golden State Warriors.
The Nets are looking to rebound from an 0-3 road trip that saw them play a pair of close games in Orlando and Philadelphia, but fall behind early and lose decisively in Toronto. The Nets admitted that their compete level wasn’t where it needed to be in the first half against the Raptors and that should serve as a reminder before playing Golden State.
“We eased up a little thinking we were comfortable and they took it to another level,” Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said after the loss in Toronto. “We’re the type of team that has to compete in every situation. The sooner we learn that, the better.”
The Nets will benefit from having Brook Lopez back in the lineup on Thursday. Lopez – the Nets leading scorer – sat out Tuesday’s game to rest up for the grueling Golden State-Cleveland back-to-back set. Isaiah Whitehead’s status is up in the air, as the guard is dealing with left foot soreness. Jeremy Lin returned to the starting point guard role with Whitehead out and will likely stay in that role even if Whitehead can play.
Business as Usual for League-Leading Warriors:
The Warriors set an NBA record with 73 wins last season, but lost in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to Cleveland Cavaliers. What did the NBA’s best-ever regular season team do over the summer? Add former MVP Kevin Durant.
With Durant, the Warriors are 25-4, sitting at the top of the NBA standings. An offensive juggernaut, the Warriors are first in points-per-game (117.4), second in offensive efficiency (113.8), first in field goal percentage (56.4%) and are the only team averaging over 20 assists per game (21.7).
Durant leads the Warriors with 25.7 ppg, while Steph Curry is averaging one fewer point. Klay Thompson is averaging 21.4, giving Golden State three of the league’s top 25 scorers. That doesn’t even include Draymond Green’s contribution, as he’s averaging 10.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
Overall, the Warriors have won nine of their last 10; it’s business as usual in the Bay Area.