Nets at Wizards
The Brooklyn Nets attempt to bounce back from their fifth consecutive setback when they visit the Washington Wizards on Saturday. Brooklyn nearly ended its skid on Friday but ultimately fell 131-125 in double-overtime against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.
The game at Washington is the only one on the road in an eight-game stretch for the Nets but they didn't take advantage of the first segment by losing all four games. Guard D'Angelo Russell recorded 26 points for his 10th 20-point effort of the season against the Grizzlies, while small forward DeMarre Carroll had his best performance of the campaign with 21 points and 12 rebounds. The Wizards are also struggling by dropping back-to-back contests by an average of 23 points, including getting routed 123-98 by the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Small forward Otto Porter Jr. missed the game for personal reasons but will likely return to play against the Nets.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE NETS (8-15): Backup guard Spencer Dinwiddie scored 15 points against Memphis for his 19th straight double-digit outing as a crucial deadline nears. Brooklyn has until Dec. 8 to offer Dinwiddie a four-year, $47.5 million extension and the fifth-year pro told reporters that he hopes the organization offers the deal, even if it might be less than what he could land in free agency. "I'd love to have an extension. I'd love to be here for a long time," Dinwiddie told reporters. "If I don't get an extension, I'll be looking forward to unrestricted free agency and going through the season trying to help the Nets win games as much as possible. Either I'm going to sign an extension or I'm going to be an unrestricted free agent, simple as that. The ball is very much in (general manager) Sean Marks and the Nets' court."
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (8-14): Veteran center Dwight Howard underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy on Friday in hopes of solving his issues with gluteal pain and nerve issues that have left him in pain when he sits down. Doctors believe a herniated disc in the L4/L5 area of the spine was causing the intense pain and Howard - who has played in just nine games - will miss two to three more months. "We had a game plan with Dwight being in the mix and shoring up our rim protection and rebounding issues," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters in assessing how the absence of Howard affects the club. "We struggle rebounding the ball. We just have to keep rebounding by committee."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Dinwiddie had 25 points and eight assists as the Nets posted a 115-104 win over the host Wizards on Nov. 16.
2. Washington PG John Wall (11 points on 4-of-15 shooting) and SF Markieff Morris (two points, 1-of-10) were a combined 5-of-25 against Philadelphia.
3. Nets F Joe Harris (hip/groin) sat out against Memphis and is unlikely to play Saturday.