Heading into Thursday night’s game, the Brooklyn Nets have and advantage of coming off two days rest while the Los Angeles Lakers are playing on the second end of a back-to-back — and the fourth contest of their five-game road trip.
Outside of the schedule, the Lakers have the upper hand in their matchup with the Nets.
Anthony Davis has two games under his belt after sitting out most of January with a gluteus maximus contusion. Of course, the other half of Los Angeles’ duo, LeBron James, always creates mismatches.
Those two, with the combination of JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard, present the rest of the NBA with a daunting task, since most of the league has shifted more toward carrying wings and fewer bigs who can anchor the paint. Thursday could provide Kenny Atkinson the unique opportunity to use both DeAndre Jordan — if he’s cleared — and Jarrett Allen at the same time in order to combat LA’s bigs.
This is also a rare occasion Brooklyn could use three bigs, but Nic Claxton (left shoulder contusion) is doubtful.
Still, the Nets need Kyrie Irving to do his thing. And he’ll have defensive stalwart Avery Bradley on him all night.
The Lakers are a tough team to beat for anyone. The Nets being in the middle of the skid make things tougher for Brooklyn, too.
Brooklyn does have a chance, especially of Joe Harris and Taurean Prince are on from deep. But this game will require a very detailed game plan from Kenny Atkinson — and, of course, the Nets need to execute it.
RELATED: Kyrie Irving, DeAndre Jordan’s status upgraded before game vs. Lakers