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Nets at Barclays Center for second match-up with Pistons

By Jason Max Rose
NBA: Brooklyn Nets at Detroit Pistons Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Ugh. Losing to the Knicks is never fun. Ever. Coming off of a tough loss to the Warriors on Sunday and an even tougher loss to the Pelicans on Friday, these young Nets just didn’t have the legs to get it done against an inferior New York product. They’re called trap games for a reason. Is it frustrating? Sure. But understandable. It’s a long season and an even longer process, losing on the second half of a back-to-back (and third game in four days) shouldn’t ruin our weeks.

The Pistons are coming to town and the Nets should do their best to rest up prior to this Halloween matchup. Remember when the season used to basically start on Halloween? Now we’re already two weeks into this thing. Big fan of the earlier start to the schedule. Anyway Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin are going to be in the Barclays on Wednesday and that’s always a scary thought. Let’s get into it.

Where To Follow The Game

YES, as usual, will have this broadcast at 7:30. WFAN as well.

Injuries

Demarre Carroll and Treveon Graham are still out. Rodions Kurucs sat again against the Knicks and won’t be back for this one. This is the fourth game he’s missed. So much for a “little sprain.”

For the Pistons, Luke Kennard (shoulder) is sidelined for a couple of weeks. Otherwise they’re good to go.

The Game

The Pistons have looked surprisingly good so far this season (other than when they play the Celtics). Blake Griffin is playing his butt off trying to prove to the league he still has some value and Andre Drummond has been his usual rebounding and dunking self. The Pistons are coming off a tough 108-105 loss in Boston Tuesday night. So maybe the Nets can take advantage after seeing first hand how winded a team can be on the back half of two in a row, especially this early in the season.

The Pistons, as always, are going to look to attack the Nets in the frontcourt. Pounding the paint with Drummond and Griffin will be plans A, B, and C for reigning Coach of the Year Dwane Casey and trying to stop them will be priority No. 1 for Kenny Atkinson. In the first game of the season, these two played down to the wire, but the Nets came up short largely due to a lack of production from the 4, which will be less of an issue now that Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is back and playing himself into shape. He put up 16 and 7 on 53% shooting in 27 minutes against the Knicks. He should be slotted into that starting spot soon enough. Jared Dudley, who somehow scored 0 points on 0-4 shooting in 18 minutes against the Knicks, just isn’t going to cut it over long term. Like, at all.

Caris Levert and D’Angelo Russell are going to need to have bounce back games in order for the Nets to win this one. Neither of them looked particularly sharp in their last contest, and Caris had his first truly rough game of the season just 2-of-11 from the field. Hopefully a day of rest and a matchup with Reggie Bullock (who missed opening night) will get him back on track.

By the way, and this is just a fun fact, but Jose Calderon is on this Pistons team. Yes, that Jose Calderon ... 37-year-old point guard Jose Calderon. When I saw his name on the roster while doing research for this piece I said out loud to absolutely nobody “No way!” Did you know he started 32 games last season for the Cavaliers? Including THREE playoff games?? Wild. Dudes been in the league since 2005. Good for him.

Player To Watch

Ish Smith is sneaky, fast, and if you’re not paying attention can put up a stat line that makes you go “Ugh, really? Ish Smith?” He gets a lot of minutes as one of Dwane Casey’s first guys off the bench and will require attention if he’s given the room to score. Also he’s been on 10 teams in 9 seasons. I don’t know what this means, but it’s kind of cool. Anyway watch out for him, because before you know it he could ruin your night in the most annoying way.

From The Vault

Happy Halloween everyone. Enjoy.

For a different perspective, head on over to Detroit Bad Boys, our SB Nation sister site.

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