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James Harden is back. Phew. All is well with the Brooklyn Nets... Wait, what? Kyrie Irving is now hurt?!
OK, everyone breathe. It’s going to be fine. IT’S FINE, I SAID,
Brooklyn, after beating the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday night, will turn around and play the Spurs, at home, on Wednesday.
Yes, Harden will return to the lineup, but Irving is dealing with a facial contusion, which is just slightly concerning.
The Spurs are still playing for a play-in spot in the Playoffs, so they’re going to be gunning for a W against the Nets tonight.
We’ll be, as always, on Clubhouse talking Nets-Spurs and everything in between. Join us!
I'm discussing “Nets host Spurs - Harden Returns?” with @Furnace17, @matt_fein, @portstnique, Maliika Walker, Donald Robinson II, @TomLorenzo, @Kabanja, Ron Pdot, and NetsDaily. Today, May 12 at 10:30 PM EDT on @clubhouse. Join us! https://t.co/uygHyloaEh
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) May 12, 2021
WHO: Brooklyn Nets (45-24) vs. San Antonio Spurs (33-35)
WHEN: 8:00 PM EST
WHERE: YES2 (tv, streaming), WCBS (radio)
Offensively, San Antonio is anchored by DeMar DeRozan who is as steady as ever, averaging 21.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.2 assists. They also have two neat young perimeter players, Dejounte Murray who’s averaging 15.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists and Lonnie Walker IV, who’s having a breakout year at age 22. He’s averaging 11 points and has shot near 40 percent from three.
There’s no Tim Duncan or David Robinson in the post, but Jakob Poeltl and Gorgui Dieng have been playing well. Poeltl will get some votes for Defensive Player of the Year and Dieng is shooting 47 percent from three since joining the Spurs.
The Spurs defense does have issues with defending skilled forwards and athletic bigs. That could work to the Nets advantage if KD plays. Will Nic Claxton see more minutes?
For more on the Spurs, check out Pounding the Rock.