On the road, P.J. Carlesimo's Nets among the best in the NBA

The Nets have, as we noted earlier, some unenviable stats, principally their record against .500 teams. But Mike Mazzeo puts together some positive numbers in his pre-game blog item.

The most impressive is the Nets have the second best road record in the NBA since P.J. Carlesimo took over in late December.

"According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Nets are 16-10 (.615) on the road since P.J. Carlesimo took over as interim coach on Dec. 28," writes Mazzeo. "Only one team has a better record record over that span: Miami (21-8)." As is often noted, Carlesimo's record as Nets coach (31-18) is the best start for any coach in franchise history.

Some other fun facts, or not so fun...

• Deron Williams has assisted on 196 of Brook Lopez’s baskets this season. That’s second among assist-basket combos. Russell Westbrook has assisted on 207 of Kevin Durant’s baskets.

• Reggie Evans is averaging 21.6 rebounds per 48 minutes played this season. That is the highest such average for any player that has played at least 10 minutes in 2012-13. The last player to average 21 or more rebounds per 48 minutes with at least 1,000 minutes played in a single season was Dennis Rodman in 1996-97 (21.8).

• Gerald Wallace is shooting just 37.7 percent from the field at TD Garden in his career (37-for-151). Only one active player has a lower career field-goal percentage in this arena than Wallace (minimum: 150 attempts): Mike Miller (36.7).

No word yet on whether Joe Johnson will play, but here's a Mazzeo-supplied stat that may give you a hint. Johnson is shooting only 36.3 percent from the field in the second of back-to-back sets this season, the lowest field-goal percentage for any player (minimum: 200 FGA).

• P.J.'s Nets have been road warriors - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York