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March 28th, 2014
W2W4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets
Pre-Game News and Notes
After a very difficulty three-game road trip for the Nets that included three overtime games, they will be back at the Barclays Center for a Friday night showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Heading into Friday the Nets are 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division, and the Raptors will also be in action Friday playing at home against the Celtics.
Match-Up of the Game: Jarrett Jack vs. Deron Williams
The Cavaliers have been without their best player in Kyrie Irving, but Jarrett Jack has picked his game up in his absence. In the last three games Jack is averaging just over 20 points per game, as Williams will have his hands full at the Point Guard position even without the All-Star Irving. In the last two game Williams has been very good on his own in two overtime losses, as against the Pelicans he scored 23 and then against the Bobcats he scored 29 points. Both players are talented and playing well in their last few games, so it should be fun to watch Jack and Williams’ battle on Friday.
- Playing Spoiler
In the Cavaliers mild three-game winning streak they have been able to play a bit of spoiler lately. The first game of their winning streak came in a huge come from behind win against the New York Knicks, who are trying to get the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The second win was even more impressive as they were able to take down the Raptors, who the Nets have been chasing for months. The Nets have been red hot in the Barclays Center, but it wouldn’t be wise to overlook the Cavaliers.
- Defending the Big Men
Without Kevin Garnett the defending opposing team’s frontcourts have been a disaster for the Nets and their small lineups. On Friday the Cavaliers have two pretty good ones they’ll be using in Spencer Hawes and Anderson Varejao. Hawes and Varejao are two very different players, but both can hurt the Nets in different ways. Hawes is the more offensive minded Center, as he can really stretch out a defense with his ability to hit three-pointers. Varejao on the other hand is more of a blue collar player that will be fighting for every rebound, which maybe more troublesome for the Nets, as they struggle badly to rebound the basketball. Skill wise Hawes and Varejao aren’t near Anthony Davis or Al Jefferson who the Nets have played recently, but both of them excel in certain departments, which could hurt the Nets in the frontcourt.
