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The highs and lows of the NBA season. After beating the Rockets at home, the Nets went to Detroit and lost to a Pistons team that was playing without some of their core players.
Now, they’re back home and ready to take on the New Orleans Pelicans who are also missing some key players but, despite their 1-5 record, have some sneaky good talent.
WHO: Brooklyn Nets (2-4) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (1-5)
WHEN: 7:30 PM EST
WHERE: YES / NBA TV (tv), WCBS 880am (radio), Barclays Center (live)
An old friend of ours will be in the house tonight. After getting off the 76ers, Jahlil Okafor reestablished himself with Kenny Atkinson and the Nets before leaving to join the Pelicans. Big Jah has found a nice role for himself with the Pelicans and is a good contributor coming off their bench. His newfound success speaks to his determination as well as the Nets coaching staff’s work with him.
Lonzo Ball changed his shooting stroke, shoes, and address this summer, and so far everything’s been paying off. He’s shooting 75 percent from the free throw line after failing to crack the 50 percent mark his first two years in the league. Ball is still a plus defender and passer and being under Gentry will continue to do wonders for his game. He has the talent and charisma to be a star, and now that some of the distractions that surrounded him are elsewhere, we’ll really get to see him come into his own.
For more on the Pelicans, check out The Bird Writes.
The Pelicans and Nets appear to be mirroring images of each other to start the season in certain respects. Both will look extremely different once healthy, and are transitioning rosters from a year ago that included high profile departures and arrivals.
On the basketball floor, things aren’t much different as New Orleans and Brooklyn have been fantastic offensively, ranking top ten in offensive rating and points per game. Defensively, they’re the complete opposite, but stay solid as a duo, ranking in the bottom ten in defensive rating and opponents points per game.