Dennis Schröder hopes to assist the Nets overtake the Grizzlies for the third time in as many video games this season on Friday evening in Memphis. AP photograph by Brandon Dill
Go west, younger Nets.
After a dismal 4-13 begin to the season in opposition to Jap Convention opponents, the youth-oriented and rebuilding Brooklyn Nets have made a behavior early within the season of recovering once they enterprise to that different facet.
They may look to proceed this mind-boggling development once they go to the Memphis Grizzlies Friday evening at FedExForum.
Brooklyn (10-14) gained its first 5 video games within the West for the primary time in franchise historical past. They’re 6-1 general in opposition to non-conference opponents, together with a 2-0 report to this point in opposition to the Grizzlies (17-8).
The Nets final visited the “Residence of the Blues” on October 30 after dropping three of their first 4 video games of the season in opposition to Jap groups.
Level guard Dennis Schröder torched the Grizzlies for 33 factors and eight assists on this sport and former Memphis ahead Ziaire Williams added 17 factors.
Schröder has been Brooklyn’s most dependable participant this season and is rapidly rising as probably the most engaging to potential suitors.
His ultimate efficiency in Memphis made him the primary Web to make not less than 5 3-pointers, dish out 5 assists and rating 25 or extra factors in three consecutive video games.
“At one level he mentioned, ‘Simply give me the ball.’ I will deal with it. mentioned Brooklyn rookie coach Jordi Fernández of Schröder after his first profession highway win.
“That’s what he does. He is a frontrunner. He places everybody of their place. If he has to attain, he scores.
Fernández’s Nets are 5-8 on the Barclays Heart, with wins at Memphis, New Orleans, Sacramento, Golden State and Phoenix.
Schröder did his finest to assist Brooklyn earn a house win over an East opponent on Sunday, scoring 34 factors and doling out 10 assists.
However the Nets’ protection failed them down the stretch as Giannis Antetkounmpo and the visiting Milwaukee Bucks rallied for a 118-113 triumph, handing Brooklyn its fourth loss in 5 video games since a three-game profitable streak within the West.
In his frustration at having given up a possible victory, Fernández expressed his displeasure.
“If our guys [wearing] a Brooklyn Nets jersey does not play more durable protection, they do not belong on our checklist. They usually understand it. he fumed.
Williams, who spent his first three seasons with the Grizzlies, is probably not out there for Brooklyn’s second go to.
The 6-foot-9 Stanford alum has missed the final three video games with a sprained left knee, however hopes to return quickly because the Nets are nonetheless ready for his or her main scorer, Cam Thomas, to fill out what has been a rotation decimated by accidents. .
“I am simply doing plenty of easy issues for the time being. I am not shifting an excessive amount of, however I am positively making progress. I simply hearken to the teaching employees,” Williams advised after Wednesday’s observe.
Reserve ahead Noah Clowney, who has been out with an ankle harm since serving to the Nets beat Sacramento on Nov. 24, was out there final weekend, however Fernández left him out in opposition to the Bucks.
The 6-foot-9 former first-round choose scored a season-high 18 factors and drained 5 3-pointers in opposition to the Kings and needs to be able to go in Memphis.
The Southwest Division-leading Grizzlies will await the Nets after profitable 9 of their final 10 video games, together with Sunday’s 140-112 loss to the Washington Wizards within the nation’s capital.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 factors and Scotty Pippen Jr. added 14 and 12 assists for Memphis, which performed with out All-Star guard Ja Morant due to again ache.
Morant and capturing guard Desmond Bane are nonetheless listed as day-to-day, however each might be again on the hardwood in opposition to the Nets.
The Nets additionally beat the Grizzlies in Brooklyn on November 4 thanks to twenty factors every from Schröder and Cam Johnson.
Averaging a career-high 18.8 factors per sport this season, Johnson has 26 factors in every of his final three video games.
Tip-off in Memphis on Friday is scheduled for 8 p.m.
NOTHING BUT NET: Thomas is nearing his analysis as he continues to get better from a left hamstring pressure that has saved him out since November 25. “I am doing good, I am getting higher, I am taking it day-to-day,” Thomas mentioned. … After visiting the Grizzlies, the Nets will host NBA-leading Cleveland (21-4) at Barclays Monday evening at 7:30 p.m., welcoming again the previous coach Kenny Atkinson.
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