Wizards at Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are in possession of their first winning streak in a month and will try to push it to three victories in a row when they continue a three-game homestand against the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. After emerging from the All-Star break with a 14-point home loss to Portland, the Nets bounced back with a 117-115 triumph at Charlotte and then opened the homestand with an impressive 101-85 win over San Antonio on Monday.
The homestand comes before a stretch run that sees Brooklyn play nine of its final 13 on the road, lending a greater degree of significance to these games. "I think it's an advantage playing here," coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Monday. "I think we have to make some money, especially knowing what comes after that." The Nets are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games up on seventh-place Detroit and well ahead of the Wizards, who have lost four in a row while giving up an average of 123 points. Three of those losses have come on the road, where Washington is just 7-24, a record better than only three teams in the league.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCS Washington, YES (Brooklyn)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (24-36): Despite the slide, Washington is just four games out of a playoff spot with 22 to play and it has an upcoming stretch loaded with home games, giving some hope for a final push if the team can correct some issues on the defensive end. "For sure," All-Star guard Bradley Beal told reporters after Saturday's 119-112 loss to Indiana. "Scoring is not the problem. It's not our problem. It's just defending and getting stops, and controlling stuff we can control." Beal had 35 points in the loss to the Pacers and is averaging 30.9 in February.
ABOUT THE NETS (32-30): Guard Caris LeVert had his best game since returning from a foot injury with 15 points, seven assists and zero turnovers in 27 minutes against the Spurs. "Very encouraging," Atkinson told reporters of LeVert. "I thought his drive game was good. He hit a big 3 I thought in the fourth quarter when we were struggling to get a bucket. D'Angelo (Russell) found him off a drive. Those two, I think they're getting their chemistry back a little." Russell followed up a 40-point effort at Charlotte with 23 points to go along with eight assists versus San Antonio.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards C Thomas Bryant came off the bench Saturday for the first time since Nov. 18 and responded with 23 points and 12 rebounds.
2. Russell has been held to a total of 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting over the last two matchups with Washington.
3. Brooklyn has won three straight meetings at home.