Brooklyn Nets: First Place Raptors Coming To Flatbush

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

BROOKLYN NETS - Inside The Final Quarter Season; The Nets Can Cut Into Toronto's Division Lead Tonight At Barclays Center.

Brooklyn has seemingly turned things around.  They started out the season 10-21 during 2013, but have gone 21-9 in the new year.  The Nets are above .500 for the first time this season, and trail the surprising first place Toronto Raptors by four games in the standings.

Tonight's game at Barclays Center will be the last time these teams meet in the regular season.  The Nets have lost twice to the Raptors this season, which makes tonight's game huge, albeit, in the very weak division.  As the Atlantic Division leader, Toronto owns the third spot in the Eastern Conference.  The Nets are currently sixth, with 21 games left in the regular season.

No one is talking about Lawrence Frank these days, nor of Brook Lopez.  Winning has a way of making distractions go away.  But the Nets haven't been able to shake the injury bug though.  Kevin Garnett will continue to miss games due to his back, while Paul Pierce was lost in the game against the Kings, when he developed a sore shoulder.

The Nets lead Charlotte by 3 games in the Eastern Conference, and Atlanta by 9 games.  The Nets have two more games against Charlotte this season, and just one game left against Atlanta.  This week, Brooklyn will play the first of two remaining games against Miami, then play Washington on Saturday.  They also have difficult match-ups coming against Phoenix, Dallas and Houston.



Mike.BTB