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You love to see it. The Brooklyn Nets went into Sunday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers looking to lock up the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They did that and then some with an incredibly impressive win.
The opponent will be the Orlando Magic. The team is scrappy, but they’re underhanded as they head in to the playoffs next week. They lost in overtime to the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
Where to follow the game
YES Network on TV. WFAN 101.9 FM on radio. Day party so we getting going at 1 PM.
Injuries
Joe Harris, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Garrett Temple, and Jamal Crawford are out. That means the Nets will be down to nine active players, one more than required under league rules.
Jonathan Issac is out for the season after tearing his ACL. Aaron Gordon is doubtful due to a hamstring injury. Evan Fournier missed Sunday’s game. No word on his status for this one. Terrence Ross left the bubble and is out. Michael Carter-Williams is doubtful with a foot injury.
The game
Orlando won the first bubble matchup between the two teams.
From now until the end of the week, jobs one through 20 for these teams is staying healthy. The Magic have been wrecked by injuries in the bubble and are hoping their reinforcements are back sooner rather than later.
Both teams' playoff opponents are set, and as we draw closer to the playoffs, we'll have more in-depth coverage of the Nets-Raptors first round matchup.
Tyler Johnson will get some more time to shine today. He was terrific coming off the bench against the Clippers and figures to get the start today. Having another capable distributor will take some pressure off Levert when the playoffs start and allow for the second unit to be capably run.
Player to watch: Nikola Vucevic
Vucevic will be dealing with our old friend Brook Lopez next week, but in the mean time he'll look to make life hell on the Nets today. Vucevic has always given the Nets trouble, and with Allen out, ought to feast on the inside. I can't imagine him playing big minutes today, so we'll see how long he's out there.
Lance Thomas started the last time Allen sat out, so he's a good bet to start again. He, Rodinis Kurucs, and Donta Hall will man the five for Jacque Vaughn and for Thomas and Hall, getting some reps in could prove to be valuable in case the Nets need them in the playoffs. Stay ready so you ain't gotta get ready.
From the Vault
Wanna watch Penny Hardaway go up against Michael Jordan? I do.
More reading: Orlando Pinstriped Post
- Game Notes: Brooklyn Nets - Brooklyn Nets
- Game Notes: Orlando Magic - Orlando Magic
- Nets bid to keep hot hand in matinee vs. Magic - Larry Fleisher - STATS/TSX
- How the Nets became a humongous NBA bubble surprise - Howie Kussoy - New York Post
- Nets exceed expectations and confidence soars - Greg Logan - Newsday
- Nets resting not one, not two, not three, but four starters after clinching East’s 7th seed - Kristian Winfield - New York Daily News
- The Nets are confident in their chances against the Raptors - Kristian Winfield - New York Daily News
- How Jacque Vaughn has turned the depleted Nets into an offensive force - Alex Schiffer - The Athletic New York
- NETS VS. MAGIC: BROOKLYN AHEAD OF THE GAME FOR ORLANDO REMATCH - Tom Dowd -= Brooklyn Nets
- TYLER JOHNSON AND CHRIS CHIOZZA A POTENT PAIRING FOR BROOKLYN NETS Tom Dowd -= Brooklyn Nets
- Magic shooting guard Terrence Ross leaves NBA bubble - Roy Parry - Orlando Sentinel