Returning home to a blizzard! The Brooklyn Nets concluded their three-game road journey with a midday matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Despite leading for a significant portion of the contest, the Hawks ended the game with a dominant 24-2 surge, leading to the Nets’ fourth straight defeat. Brooklyn departs the road to face heavy snowfall at home. Winter proves to be quite severe!
Tonight’s adversaries are entering a new phase. The Dallas Mavericks’ current roster appears quite altered, likely focusing on the upcoming Draft. They recently ended a ten-game losing streak with an away victory over the Indiana Pacers this past Sunday afternoon.
Catch the game on YES Network for television, WFAN for radio, or stream it via Gotham Sports. The tip-off is scheduled for after 7:30 p.m. ET.
Brooklyn’s roster remains unchanged. This marks their second completely healthy lineup in the last nine games, a notable occurrence in the tanking period. The three two-way players are still assigned to Long Island.
The following athletes will not be playing:
- Kyrie Irving
- Cooper Flagg
- Dereck Lively II
Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse’s participation is uncertain, while Daniel Gafford’s status is questionable.
Dallas secured victories in both games one and two. Due to the Commissioner’s Cup, we’re witnessing a uniquely rare third cross-conference regular season game!
The entire city is working to clear away snow, and the Nets are expected to arrive back in town early this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Mavs found themselves stuck in Indianapolis and had not departed by midday. We wish everyone the best of luck in this contest.
While the Mavs have experienced considerable disarray in recent years, a glimmer of hope now emerges. With Flagg performing as a foundational player, the future appears promising, notwithstanding the actions of Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson. Dallas already possesses one cornerstone athlete, and adding another alongside Flagg via the Draft could potentially propel the Mavs back into playoff contention as early as next season. Here’s what Tyler Edsel from Mavs Moneyball states:
The Dallas organization must critically evaluate its direction. Should they maintain the current roster, aiming for around 32 wins and likely missing out on the draft’s top guards? Or should they trade veteran players for draft capital, accepting a setback this season to improve their odds of securing Cooper Flagg’s future point guard?
The decision is unequivocally evident. It is imperative for the Mavericks to commit to building around Cooper Flagg, a strategy I have advocated for since the May Lottery. For the long-term viability of the franchise, Dallas must act decisively now. This implies only one course for Dallas: to divest assets and strategically aim for a lower standing.
This could be a minor retreat for a significant resurgence, provided they manage their strategy effectively. Notably, two individuals with past ties to the Nets — Jason Kidd, currently the Mavs’ head coach, and Matt Riccardi, the Mavs’ co-interim general manager — are set to wield considerable influence over the team’s future direction.
It has been a gradual process, but perhaps Marvin Bagley has finally found his stride? Bagley III, acquired from the Washington Wizards in the Anthony Davis transaction, has performed admirably in his new environment. Across five games, he is nearing a double-double average while shooting 53.5 percent from the field. Sustaining this performance could secure him a lasting role with the team and establish him as a reliable asset for Jason Kidd moving forward.
The Nets must significantly improve their rebounding performance to contend this evening. Atlanta out-rebounded them by 18 on Sunday, and any opponent will exploit additional possessions given. Nic Claxton and Day’ron Sharpe face the challenge of rectifying this deficiency and containing Bagley III offensively.
👀 Key Player Spotlight: PJ Washington
The Mavericks are actively seeking foundational players for their future roster, and Washington is likely a key individual on ownership’s radar. This season, Washington has taken on an expanded offensive role, with his statistics remaining comparable to last year’s. At 27 years old and just beginning a new extension, he is expected to be a dependable asset for Dallas for the foreseeable future.
What course of action should the Nets take regarding Michael Porter Jr.? While MPJ has been experiencing a shooting slump, Steve Lichtenstein suggests a potentially more profound underlying issue:
“Porter sustained an MCL sprain during a January 7th game against Orlando and subsequently missed several games leading up to the All-Star break due to tendonitis in the same knee, although reports indicated these two ailments were distinct. During this timeframe, Porter’s missed shots, including a dismal 7-of-8 from three-point range in Atlanta, were not merely close misses; they frequently missed widely, suggesting that his struggles might stem from an underlying physical issue.
Given that the Nets are already trailing by 11 games for a play-in spot, the sensible approach would be to sideline Porter, mirroring the strategy many other teams engaged in tanking have adopted when their key players sustain injuries.“
Regarding the final point, if the league chooses to question the decision to rest a potentially injured player, then let them do so.
Porter Jr. is not currently on the injury report, indicating he will participate. Nearly all of MPJ’s successful shots were close to the basket, suggesting the Nets should focus on generating simpler scoring opportunities for him. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to quickly find his rhythm this season. A single strong performance could reignite his form, making him resemble the All-Star caliber player he once was.
The USA and Canada engaged in a legendary gold medal match during the Olympics’ final event on Sunday. The United States claimed its inaugural hockey gold medal since 1980, with Jack Hughes’ decisive overtime goal securing the stunning triumph. This victory held profound significance for US hockey, a point evident when reflecting on the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver…