Brooklyn Nets meet Golden State Warriors in match of surprise teams

The Nets are 11-6, two and a half behind the Knicks (who knew?). The Warriors are 11-7, and ahead of the Lakers, Nuggets and Mavericks (who would have thunk it?). Both teams are doing surprisingly well. In their only other head-to-head this season, the Warriors vanquished the Nets in Oakland.

The Nets are certainly going to be without Brook Lopez (foot) and are awaiting word on Reggie Evans (flu). Without those two, their leading scorer and rebounder, they came close to beating the Thunder two nights ago. There's no solace in that, say team members, and there is that matter of getting back for the Warriors win. If that's going to happen, they will have to control Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, who combined for 48 points three weeks ago.

Thompson, in particular, has been hot since their win over the Nets. He's averaging 20.1 ppg in the seven-game stretch. Curry has hit 20 or more in five straight games, going 19-for-34 from deep in those games. David Lee is also putting up good numbers, 18 and 10 since beating Brooklyn. Two nights ago, in a win vs. the Pistons, Curry, Thompson and Lee combined for 69 points and shot a blistering 23-for-40. The Warriors are 7-3 over last 10 and in the top 15 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

For the Nets, it's a chance to replicate what they have done twice before this: go off on a five game winning streak following two straight losses. They haven't lost three straight this season. And for Warrior coach Mark Jackson, Brooklyn native and former YES analyst, it's a homecoming.

Prior to the game, there will be a two-hour marathon of "The Association" episodes on NBA TV. Previously aired Episodes 2 through 5 will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Brooklyn Nets Tickets - TiqIQ
• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes - Brooklyn Nets
• Golden State Warriors Game Notes - Golden State Warriors
• Warriors at Nets - December 7, 2012 - Jeff Mezydlo - STATS
• Mark Jackson to make first visit to Barclays Center on Friday - Stefan Bondy - NY Daily News
• As wins pile up, Knicks-Nets meet again Tuesday - Justin Terranova - New York Post
• Mark Jackson, Warriors coach and Knicks star, said he is glad basketball is back in Brooklyn - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
  
• Nets Hoping To Ruin Mark Jackson’s Homecoming (Video) - Moke Hamilton - SNY
• Jerry Stackhouse Has Played Well, But Nets Need Another Shooter - Dan Kelly - SNY
  
• Warriors Jackson returns to Brooklyn - Rusty Simmons - San Francisco Chronicle
• Golden State Warriors: Defensive improvement can't be ignored - Marcus Thompson - San Jose Mercury News
• Warriors Take Manhattan on Off-Day (Video) - Golden State Warriors