The Nets (0-1) host the the Heat (1-1) tonight without head coach Jason Kidd (second game of two game suspension for off season DWI). Here's what you need to know:
Time: 8pm eastern, 5pm pacific
Watch on: ESPN
Venue: "The House That Hov Built", the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
Refs: Monty McCutchen, Brent Barnaky, David Jones
Lineups:
Heat | Nets | |
Mario Chalmers | PG | Deron Williams |
Dwyane Wade | SG | Joe Johnson |
LeBron James | SF | Paul Pierce |
Udonis Haslem | PF | Kevin Garnett |
Chris Bosh | C | Brook Lopez |
Injuries: Andrei Kirilenko is a game time decision (back spasms) and Shaun Livingston is questionable (sprained right thumb) for the Nets. Prior to the game, Greg Oden was seen working out on the court, inactives not announced yet for the Heat.
The last time these teams met: The Heat swept the regular season series between the two teams, beating the Nets for the third time on January 30th, 105-85 in Brooklyn. LeBron flirted with a triple double putting up 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. The Nets were led by Brook Lopez who put up 21 points and grabbed 7 boards.
Story: The Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat have yet to play this year, but new Nets Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce know all about this Heat team and they're still bitter about Ray Allen leaving them in Boston. They also still aren't afriad to fire back at the King, LeBron James.
James, 10/16, NY Daily News
"The first thing that I thought was like, ‘Wow, Ray (Allen) got killed for leaving Boston and now these guys are leaving Boston," James told reporters on Wednesday. "I think it's OK. I don't mind it, but there was a couple guys that basically (criticized) Ray for leaving and everybody else is leaving."
Garnett, 10/17, ESPN
"Tell LeBron to worry about Miami. He has nothing to do with Celtic business."
Pierce since his message to LeBron this way when the teams met up in the preseason:
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History watch: If Kevin Garnett plays 33 minutes tonight, he'll move past Wilt Chamberlain for 5th place in minutes played in NBA history. Dwyane Wade is eight blocks away from passing Dennis Johnson (675) for the most blocks by a guard 6'4" or shorter in NBA history.
Prediction: Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett get under LeBron's skin and get their first home win as members of the Nets.
Nets: 99, Heat: 94
And now... hit the comments!