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Nets try to make it three straight vs Magic

By Brian Fleurantin
NBA: Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a while. And if you want to be specific, since November 12, 2014. That date is important because it was the last time the Brooklyn Nets were above .500. Until Sunday evening. They got out to a 16 point lead, but gradually let it slip away in the fourth quarter. Fortunately for them, they got back on track and came away with a 12 point victory in front of the home fans. This is the first night of a back-to-back for Brooklyn. They’re back in town to face the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

The opponent tonight will be the Orlando Magic. After losing in Brooklyn on Friday, they went to Cleveland to face the Cavs on Saturday night. What happened? They washed the Cavs by 21 points. Life is funny that way.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. WFAN 101.9 FM (first time this season) on radio. Tip off after 7 PM.

Injuries

Nothing new for the Nets. Jeremy Lin is at home recovering from knee surgery.

Sean Kilpatrick is at home as well. He became a father Monday. Congratulations!

Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton both missed Saturday’s game in Cleveland due to injuries. Gordon is expected back but Payton is out.

The game

Brooklyn won the first meeting on Friday.

Early in the preseason, Allen Crabbe suffered an ankle injury that had him out for a few days. Since then, he’s been working his way back into tip top shape. He got the start on Friday replacing the injured Jeremy Lin, but offered to come off the bench Sunday. The role suited him perfectly as he set game highs in points (20) and three pointers made (four). As Crabbe moves further away from the injury, his minutes will increase to about 30 a night. He’ll be matched up with Jonathon “Can’t Go Back” Simmons. Simmons came over on a three-year, $18 million contract after two solid seasons coming off of the Spurs bench. He brings some nice bench scoring but more importantly, a solid perimeter defender that can match up against the opponent’s best wing player.

When D’Angelo Russell goes to the bench, Spencer Dinwiddie has done a good job of holding it down. Through the first three games, his turnover rate is a lot lower than it was last season and he’s kept the high paced Nets offense in gear. Brooklyn has had issues with turnovers to begin the year, and if he can help them bring that number down some, it will make their offense more dynamic.

Player to watch: Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic had the best game of his career on Friday against the Nets. The big guy scored 41 points and went 6-8 from three point range. A lot of those threes were wide open thanks to the Nets playing poor pick and roll defense. If the Nets don’t key in more on him, Vucevic is in line for another huge game.

It appears the Nets have settled into a nice three man rotation at center. Timofey Mozgov starts with Trevor Booker first off the bench and Jarrett Allen coming in around the end of the first half. I’d like to see Allen get a little more time against Vucevic if possible. It would be a nice test for the rookie.

Kenny Atkinson talked about Allen’s ability, at 7-foot, to switch off on smaller guys, a rare NBA talent.

From the Vault

I didn’t realize this until yesterday, but Sunday was the five year anniversary of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City.” With that in mind, take a trip back to 2012 and listen to my favorite song on the album.

More reading: Orlando Pinstriped Post

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