W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors, February 22nd, 2014

barclayscenter.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

February 22^th, 2014

W2W4: Brooklyn Nets vs Golden State Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets will be facing quite possibly their toughest game of the circus road-trip on Saturday in Golden State against the Warriors. Brooklyn is currently 3.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors for the Atlantic Division, and would love to be able to get a big win on Saturday.

- Awaiting a Debut

Only one move was made before Thursdays Trade Deadline for the Nets, as they agreed to trade Reggie Evans and Jason Terry to Sacramento for Marcus Thornton. The trade wasn’t made official until Saturday afternoon, as Terry getting a physical was holding it up. Terry will however not be joining the Kings, as he will be out for the remainder of the regular season with a knee injury, but this will allow Evans and Thornton to both be eligible to play on Saturday. Thornton however is battling a stomach bug so he is listed as a game-time decision for the match-up against the Warriors. Thornton has had a disappointing last two seasons, but has scored over 18 points per game twice in his career, as Brooklyn will hope that he can thrive off their bench.

- Tough Test

Saturday will be no easy task for the Nets, as even though they have defeated the Warriors once, that was the last game of a long road trip for the Warriors. Golden State is currently (33-22), which has them at 7^th in the extremely tough Western Conference. Golden State may have one of the most talented rosters in the NBA led by Stephen Curry, who is leading the team in PPG with 24.4, and APG at 8.9. curry also lit up the Nets in their first meeting this season, as he scored a game-high 34 points. The Nets will be catching a little break, as Center Andrew Bogut is listed as doubtful to play with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the last six games.

- Healthy Williams?

Going against one of the best and youngest back courts in the league in Curry and Klay Thompson, Brooklyn will need a good game from Deron Williams, who didn’t play in the first meeting. In the victory in Utah, Williams got banged up a bit taking hits to both his head and groin, but going against a quick guard like Curry it will be big test to see just how much the All-Star break helped the ankles of Williams. Against the Jazz Williams scored 19 points, but didn’t shoot particularly well, and for the Nets to get a upset road win, they will need an excellent performance from Williams.