We're not even at the All-Star Break, and yet this is a crucial game for the Nets tonight against the Thunder. The Nets sit just 0.5 games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and this evening presents a winnable game for New Jersey.
The Thunder have drastically improved, specifically of late, thanks to the play of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green. That trio represents a promising core for the enthusiastic fans of Oklahoma City to boast about. They should save the boasting for the future, however, because their team isn't quite ready to win consistently. The Nets need to utilize their experience (Vince Carter, Devin Harris, Keyon Dooling, Bobby Simmons, and Jarvis Hayes) and poise in order to thrive in tonight's match-up.
New Jersey has hit a bit of a lull the past couple of weeks, but they are coming off a win against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team not all that dissimilar from the Thunder. The Grizzlies are built around a young trio as well, that of O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, and Mike Conley Jr., though Conley has only recently made his presence felt.
The Nets had lost five in a row prior to the Memphis game, most of which were a result of a brutal schedule, including two games against the Celtics, and one facing the Spurs, Hornets, and Blazers. New Jersey had a shot against both New Orleans and Portland, but fell short twice. The Hornets were without David West, Tyson Chandler, and Hilton Armstrong in that particular contest; a missed opportunity, no doubt, for Lawrence Frank's boys.
On the bright side, in the Eastern Conference playoff race, the Bucks lost sharpshooter Michael Redd for the remainder of the season. Redd is Milwaukee's best player, a left-handed shooter who is a sniper from beyond the arc, and is very difficult to contest do to the cock-back release of his jumper. Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva will be asked to pick up the scoring slack for the Bucks. Expect increased production from Luke Ridnour, Ramon Sessions, and Charlie Bell, too.
Regardless of said "increased production," this is a playoff-crushing blow for the Bucks. They won't be able to hang on with the Nets, Knicks, Bobcats, Raptors, Pacers, and Bulls still hovering around. Someone will make a strong run in the latter 1/4 of the season, and I'm hoping it's the Nets.
It's all a matter of Vince Carter's intensity and effort (or lack there of), Devin Harris' shot selection and ability to play through some aches and pains, and Lawrence Frank's ability to keep his team's respect and admiration. He's really starting to bother his players (and fans) with his incessant timeout requests. It kills rhythm, momentum, and flow, and frustrates veterans like Carter and Harris. Let them work through it, Lawrence!
Keywords: Bobcats, Bucks, Bulls, critical game, crucial game, Devin Harris, Eastern Conference, Eastern Conference playoff race, Jarvis Hayes, Jeff Green, Kevin Durant, Keyon Dooling, Knicks, Lawrence Frank, Mike Conley, Nets, Nets game tonight, Nets vs. Thunder, New Jersey Nets, O.J. Mayo, Pacers, Rudy Gay, Russell Westbrook, Vince Carter
