Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks 02-15-17
Time: Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Barclay’s Center | Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network, Fox Sports Go
Projected Starters:
Brooklyn:
Spencer Dinwiddie, Randy Foye, Bojan Bogdanovic, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brook Lopez
Milwaukee:
Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Snell, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Beasley, Thon Maker
Absences:
Brooklyn:
Milwaukee:
The Brooklyn Nets are looking to avoid a 13 game losing streak heading into the All-Star break when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the fourth and final matchup of the season for these two teams. While Milwaukee has won all three, Brooklyn has been able to keep the games relatively close, giving us all hope for a win.
Even if Brooklyn were to lose this game, fans do have something to look forward to; the return of Jeremy Lin. Lin is scheduled to return after the All-Star break when Brooklyn takes on the Denver Nuggets on February 24th. Needless to say, the team and the fans are ecstatic that they get their point guard and leader back on the floor. This team started off 4-5 so there is hope for some wins to close out the season.
As for the game against the Bucks, if the Nets are to emerge victors they will need to stop the Greek Freak. Giannis is having a breakout season in which the entirety of the NBA is noticing how skilled and athletic he really is. He can score, rebound, play defense, and pass the ball. On top of that, he is ridiculously athletic and almost dunked from the free-throw line the other night. Giannis is always extraordinarily tough to guard and stop, but Brooklyn will need to.
Brooklyn will also need to take smart shots. There are too many times that Brooklyn possesses the ball and will take stupid fadeaway shots from long range while covered respectfully well by the opposition. It is much smarter to pass the ball out, wait for a screen, and make something happen. You may hit the fadeaway sometimes, but Brooklyn needs to play he percentages and probabilities. It is much more probable that a shot will go in from closer to the basket with less defenders on you. That, in turn, increases field goal percentage, which increases points, and, as a result, wins. Brooklyn needs to play smart basketball.
This game provides hope. Hope that Brooklyn can snag a win. Hope that Jeremy Lin will stay healthy all year. Hope that Brooklyn can go on a winning streak to give the fans and team a boost heading into next season.