The Brooklyn Nets aim to snap a five-game losing streak as they face the Phoenix Suns tonight at 9 p.m. EST in Phoenix. Currently, the Nets hold a record of 12-32, placing them 13th in the Eastern Conference, while the Suns sit at 27-19, ranking sixth in the Western Conference.
The Nets have struggled on the road, posting a 6-15 record away from home. In contrast, the Suns have been formidable at home with a 14-6 record. Brooklyn’s recent performances include a narrow record of 1-2 in games decided by less than four points, highlighting their difficulties in close matchups.
Team Performance and Key Players
Offensively, the Suns rank fifth in the NBA, averaging 13.0 offensive rebounds per game, with Mark Williams leading the team by averaging 3.2 offensive boards. This strength on the glass could pose challenges for the Nets, who allow their opponents to shoot 49.0% from the field, slightly higher than the Suns’ shooting percentage of 45.9% this season.
The Nets average 107.9 points per game, which is significantly lower than the Suns’ defensive average of 111.8 points allowed. In their previous encounter on January 20, the Suns emerged victorious with a score of 126-117, fueled by a standout performance from Dillon Brooks, who scored 27 points in that game.
The matchup tonight will mark the teams’ second meeting of the season, with the Suns looking to repeat their success.
Key players to watch include Collin Gillespie, who is averaging 13.4 points and 4.7 assists for the Suns, and Grayson Allen, who has been hitting an average of 3.6 three-pointers over the last ten games. For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. leads the team with an average of 24.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Egor Demin has also been impactful, averaging 2.3 made three-pointers in the same span.
Injury Updates
In terms of injuries, the Suns will be without Jalen Green due to a hamstring injury and Devin Booker, who is sidelined with an ankle issue. The Nets are facing similar challenges, with Haywood Highsmith out due to a knee injury, Cam Thomas unavailable with an ankle injury, Nolan Traore out with an illness, and Noah Clowney sitting out because of a back injury.
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the Nets will be looking to turn their fortunes around while the Suns aim to solidify their playoff positioning. The stakes are high as the game is set to begin, and both teams are eager to assert their dominance on the court.
