New Jersey Nets (1-0) vs Golden State Warriors (0-2) Projected Starters Stats Streaks- Nets: W1 / Warriors: L1 Leading Scorers- Nets: Vince Carter (21 ppg) / Warriors: Al Harrington (26 ppg) Leading Rebounders- Nets: Brook Lopez (8 rpg) / Warriors: Andris Biendris (13 rpg) Assist Leaders- Nets: Vince Carter (6 apg) / Warriors: Stephen Jackson (5 apg) Field Goal Percentage- Nets: 47.4% / Warriors: 44.7% 3PT Percentage- Nets: 31.6% / Warriors: 37.9% Free Throw Percentage- Nets: 83.3% / Warriors: 68.4% Nets Keys to the Game -This is Devin Harris's chance to prove his worth as a scoring PG. The Warriors are extremely weak at the 1, and Harris must take advantage of that. Today, Vince can be the main distributor as long as Devin abuses his defender. -Bang the boards. The Nets gave the Wizards too many 2nd chance opportunities (Washington had 13 offensive rebounds) last time. Today, a team effort will be needed on the boards, especially after the Warriors beat Toronto with a 47-37 rebounding advantage and 17 offensive boards. -Get either Simmons, Anderson or Hayes hot. The Nets can count on Yi and VC to score from outside but a reliable backup shooter will be needed each night. Simmons was on fire against the Knicks, Hayes burned the Wizards. Frank will have to let one of them heat up, because all signs point to this being a high scoring game and the Nets will have to keep up. -Drive to the rim. The Warriors usually play with a short rotation. They don't have a replacement for Andris Biendris. If the Nets get Biendris into foul trouble and the Warriors switch to small ball, the Nets can go with a Anderson/Yi/Lopez or Yi/Boone/Lopez and dominate the paint on both sides. X Factor Devin Harris: If he can score 20+ points today on a high percentage (which means not putting up stupid jumpers in transition), the Nets have a good chance of winning this game. Prediction Nets 106 - Warriors 100
warriors are coming off a tough loss. they took the raps into OT and collapsed. hopefully we can capitalize on their fatigue and catch them off guard.
Key: Defend the 3pters. I bet Nellie is going to exploit yi with matchups and put a quick SF in there with shooters and just tell Yi's man to drive on him.
Haha, yeah i got them from the buy one get one free package with my friend. Good seats right behind the hoop.
Call me crazy, but with GS having lost in OT just last night and with this being opening night at home for the Nets, I think we will have a double digit win, maybe even a blowout.
Has Yi been playing the 3? I can't imagine him being there very long. In the Warriors first 2 games they ran a lot of iso plays for Maggette and I don't think Yi has the quickness or strength to stop him (although I haven't seen Yi this year and only saw him about 5 times last season). Also, has Boone improved his free throw shooting? Last year Nelson played Hack-a-Boone starting in the second quarter IIRC. Should be a good game, the W's game up the lead in the final 30 seconds or so against NO and Tor. They need a comfortable win or it's going to get in their heads.
He has not played the 3 so far in any sets, preseason or regular season. There have always been at least 3 players smaller than Yi on the floor at all times, and he has guarded opposing bigs. However the offense the Nets are running calls for the 4 to often pick and pop, dribble hand off high, or stay out near the 3-point line in a 20 degree arc either side of center while the SF is typically in one of the corners, so the 4 is definitely a kind of hybrid forward position in Nets offense.
nellie doesnt play the standard frontcourt combo. I dont care what u say, Al Harrington is not a PF. He doesnt have a solid post game but he shoots the 3 and drives the ball well. Maybe Yi can shut him down, but I dont like his chances. Al has been struggling, but hes strong and quick. Plus Harrington's backup is Azinbuke or wtvr and that guy is even faster. I think Sean Williams will be big this game. Simmons is a foul waiting to happen and if im right so is Yi for this game. I expect Sean to be a difference maker.
