Game Previews

Woeful Nets welcome familiar face Alan Anderson and the depleted Wizards to Brooklyn

By Anthony Parisi Apr 11, 2016, 9:00am EDT

Man oh man. Shutting down Brook Lopez and Thaddeus Young was the equivalent of shutting down all hopes that the Nets had of being in a close game. Brooklyn has now lost eight games in a row all by double digits. Add not having Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the Nets become the NBA's worst team.

Unless the Nets win one of the remaining two games, this year's edition of the Nets will be the fourth worst team in franchise history just ahead of the 22-60 team in 1976-77. They are already the worst professional team in Brooklyn sports history. The 1905 Brooklyn Dodgers were the worst previously. They had a winning percentage of .316. The Nets are currently at .266.

So, 80 games down, two more to go. The finish line can't come soon enough for a team who is probably the worst team in the NBA at the moment. Next up for the Nets are the Washington Wizards. Washington is officially eliminated from playoff contention, so they have about as much to play for as the Nets do.

Washington may be out of the playoffs but that didn't stop them from shocking the Charlotte Hornets yesterday. Washington took down the Hornets 113-98 and they will look to get another win for merely pride tonight against the struggling Nets.

Where to follow the game?

YES Network on TV, WFAN 101.9 FM on radio. Tip off after 7:30 PM.

Injuries

The Nets will be without Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez due to rest, also Jarrett Jack with a torn ACL. Willie Reed left the team due to personal reasons and Thomas Robinson is questionable after leaving yesterday's game with a sore knee.

For the Wizards, John Wall is doubtful with a sore left knee, so is Bradley Beal with a sore pelvis.

The game

2015-2016	Brooklyn	Washington
Record	21-59	39-41
Pace	97.2	100.5
Offensive Efficiency	100.9	102.7
Defensive Efficiency	108.1	103.9
Turnover Rate	13.8	13.1
Assist Rate	17.0	18.1
Offensive Rebounding Rate	24.3	20.7
Rebound Rate	49.7	48.5
Free Throw Rate	24.7	26.1
Effective Field Goal Percentage	49.2	50.9
Opponent's Effective Field Goal Percentage	53.2	52.1

Previous matchups

On December 26th, Washington beat the Nets 111-96, on April 6th Washington won again 121-103. The Wizards lead the season series 2-0 looking for a sweep tonight.

Player to watch: Alan Anderson

In the two previous matchups that these teams faced off this year, Alan Anderson was out due to injury. Anderson has only played in 11 games this year, playing an average of 14.7 minutes per game.

With Wall and Beal likely not playing, Anderson will see an increase in minutes against his former team. Anderson was an important part of Brooklyn's bench during his two seasons in town, he was always known for his energy and junkyard dog mentality.

Anderson had a productive postseason for the Nets last year averaging 11 points per game while shooting 61 percent from the field and 63 percent from three-point territory.

Anderson is the player to watch not only for this being his first game versus his old team since playing the past two seasons for them, but also because his performance will have a big impact on the outcome of tonight's game.

Nets X-factor: Henry Sims

It's a rough time for your team if Henry Sims performance is going to have a major impact on the outcome of the game, but that's the harsh truth for the Nets. Thomas Robinson might not play which makes Sims responsibility a big one.

Sims will need to make a difference and be a major part of a Nets frontcourt which is about as weak as one can imagine. Sims is signed for the rest of the season after receiving two 10-day contract's and tonight's game is a big chance for Sims to try and earn a roster spot for next season.

In 12 games this season, Sims is averaging 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game. Sims will most likely play above that minute total tonight assuming T-Rob doesn't play. A big chance for Sims, but a big nightmare for Nets fans who are missing Thad Young and Brook Lopez more and more each day.

Wizards X-factor: Kelly Oubre Jr.

Oubre is in his rookie season out of Kansas and he hasn't had too many minutes. Oubre is averaging 10 minutes per game, but with Wall and Beal likely not playing, as I alluded to with Alan Anderson''s minute total likely going up, the same will happen for Oubre.

Oubre hasn't played in three of Washington's last five games, but the Wizards still think highly of the 20-year-old former Jayhawk.

In two games that he played in versus Brooklyn this season, Oubre has seen a good chunk of playing time. Oubre is averaging 9.5 points to go along with 5 rebounds in 25 minutes per game against the Nets. Oubre is also shooting the ball at an efficient 61 percent this year versus Brooklyn.

From the vault

Deron Williams time with the Nets is often negatively talked about, but nobody can take this game away from him. Williams was in the zone scoring what at the time was the most points in Barclays Center history with 42 and 11 three-pointers.