Nets vs Suns preview: Back to New York after quick road trip

SB Nation

Even though Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears were unable to pull it off against the Los Angeles Rams, the Chicago Bulls were able to give their city a tad bit of comfort as they manhandled the Nets

all game last night. Of course, having your best player in Michael Porter Jr. out of the lineup did hurt some, okay a lot, as so they are now 0-8 without him. But for a team that was so successful on the defensive side just last month, Brooklyn just did not have it in them.

Tonight, the Nets will travel back to Brooklyn for the second half of their back-to-back to take on the Phoenix Suns. The Suns, even though only seventh in the Western Conference standings, have tremendous strides so far in the season. This will be no cake walk, but with MPJ back, the Nets definitely have their chance.

Where to Watch

Check out the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Nets have not been announced yet but expect players who’ve been on injury management and played yesterday will be out. That would include Cam Thomas and Egor Demin to sit and those who rested to return, meaning MPJ. Lots of speculation about CamT’s role as Jordi Fernandez made clear: he’s likely to come off the bench rather than start. No word on any trade possibilities just yet.

For the Suns, good news for them as Jalen Green has been upgraded to questionable after his troubles with his hamstring. And the bad news, Devin Booker is also questionable with left ankle soreness. Jamaree Bouyea (concussion) will also miss action tonight.

The Game

Here are some stats that should give you a glimpse of what kind of season the Phoenix Suns are currently having. Through 41 games, they are the only team in NBA history to make over 575 threes and have over 400 steals. Also, they have the highest field goal percentage through 41 games in NBA history at 65.6%.

With a resume like this, you have to applaud the personnel that helped make this happen. Jordan Ott, a former assistant coach of our Nets under Kenny Atkinson, is a leading Coach of the Year candidate in part because of those numbers, but also because the Suns are now 25-14 out west, only a half game behind the Lakers for the sixth seed and ahead of the Warriors and Clippers among others.

Aside from Booker, who can score 25 points in his sleep, Ott has specialized in unlocking a players’ true potential. Dillon Brooks, the league’s most infamous villain, is averaging 20.7 on 44.5% shooting, both career highs. Collin Gillespie, a scrappy Villanova product who went undrafted in 2022 is having a stellar season, averaging 13.2 PPG on 44/41/84 shooting splits, as well as over a steal per game. And finally, Grayson Allen is also putting up career high numbers, including 33 points including seven 3-points three days ago

The Nets have seen some good production from members of the Flatbush 5 as of late. Danny Wolf has been in double figures in the last two contests, Nolan Traore is coming off a career high 16 points and a career high in 3 pointers made, going 3-of-4 vs. Chicago and Egor Demin has been… Egor Demin.

Drake Powell has looked a lot more comfortable as of late as well, and if he could provide his level of defense against this fiery Phoenix offense, it would help tremendously. Along with the rookies, Day’Ron Sharpe needs to have a better game than last night. In the first game against the Bulls he was active, providing 14 points and six boards in 19 minutes. In the same amount of minutes last night, it wasn’t the same story.

It’s as simple as this. Defend the three, don’t turn the ball over. If these things can happen, a Brooklyn win could be in store.

Player To Watch: Jalen Green

According to some hints on his Instagram story, there is a chance that Jalen Green will return and play today. If he does, he would be another weapon the Suns will have on the offensive end. While in Houston, Green averaged 20 points with an array of high flying dunks and difficult jumpers. He was offered to the Nets at the trade deadline two years ago along with some of the Nets picks, but Brooklyn ultimately felt the Knicks offer of five firsts, a first round swap and a second plus the injured Bojan Bogdanovic was a better deal.

While helping the Rockets reach the playoffs, Green was criticized for showing up when it mattered, ultimately falling to Golden State and the hands of Steph Curry. With a fresh new start after being included in the Kevin Durant trade, Green will hope to bring success to the Suns organization.

There might be something else to watch … if he plays. The Suns had cameras in their draft room as they sweated out picks in hopes of winding up with Duke big Khamen Maluach at No. 10. When the Nets surprised by taking Egor Demin at No. 8, there were expressions of surprise and smirks. Demin tends to take slights like that personally.

From the Vault

There was some sad news from within the Nets history book this weekend. John Forte, the Brooklyn-born rapper and producer died at age 50. Forte was best known for his work with the Fugees but among Nets fans, his and J.Pride’s “”Brooklyn: Something To Lean On” will always have a place in their hearts. Forte and Pride composed it as as a tribute to Brooklyn as the Nets made their move 13 years ago from Newark and their New Jersey past…