Warriors at Nets
THE STORY: The New Jersey Nets host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday in a matchup of teams with a combined eight wins. The Nets, who move to Brooklyn next season, were hoping their 35th and final season in New Jersey would be something to remember. So far, it's been something everyone would prefer to ignore. Center Brook Lopez broke his foot a few days before the season began. The injury not only sidelined the Nets' best big man and last season’s leading scorer, it also ended any chance they had to acquire Dwight Howard – at least for the time being. The Nets completed a 1-3 road trip Monday with a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, who were playing without point guard Chris Paul. The Warriors are still playing without guard Stephen Curry, who is averaging 15.2 points a game. He's missed the last seven games with a sprained right ankle. Curry practiced on Monday, but is still feeling the effects of the injury. “We don't want to rush him,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. “We want to make sure he's ready when we bring him back.”
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Comcast Sports Bay Area (Golden State), YES (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (5-8): Monta Ellis was battered but still standing after Tuesday's 105-95 win in Cleveland. He took an elbow to the nose from Anderson Varejao late in the game while helping out on defense. Ellis was on the floor for several minutes and had blood down the front of his uniform. He said the nose wasn't broken, but was holding a bloody towel to his nose about 45 minutes after the game. The Warriors won despite Ellis' poor shooting night. He was 2 of 12 from the field and scored 10 points. David Lee sparked the win with 29 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter.
ABOUT THE NETS (3-11): New Jersey is the only team in the league that's winless at home. The Nets are 0-4 at the Prudential Center. The losses have been by an average of 16.5 points a game so it's probably not good news that the next three games are at home. New Jersey showed some fight against the Clippers. The Nets tied the game twice in the fourth quarter after trailing by double figures for most of the game, but fell short in the last four minutes. Coach Avery Johnson, who is searching for something positive, hopes that can provide some momentum for his struggling team.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Rookie MarShon Brooks scored a team-high 19 points, including 13 in the third quarter, against the Clippers.
2. The Nets broke a six-game losing streak to the Warriors with a 94-90 win at home in March 2011.
3. Prior to Tuesday's victory, Golden State hadn't won two straight road games since Nov. 8-10, 2010. The Warriors, who defeated Detroit on Sunday, are playing the finale of a five-game trip.