Inside The Nets

GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Nets want to strengthen their case for the Play-In Tournament with another win against their primary rivals, the Hawks.

Peter Sunjic

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The Brooklyn Nets got a massive 124-97 blowout against the Atlanta Hawks, one of the season's best performances. The Nets want to capitalize on the Hawks’ injury troubles as All-Star guard Trae Young is out for the next month.

Cameron Johnson was a standout performer in the first game on Thursday, leading the Nets to aim to maintain that success. Interim head coach Kevin Ollie wants to keep this going, with Dennis Schroder serving as the playmaker.

Atlanta will be looking to get their win back

The Hawks are coming into this second consecutive game with a point to prove. Dejounte Murray was superb in the Thursday game with 28 points, but he needs more support from the rest of the team. Jalen Johnson is the likely name who will help Murray in the scoring department.

It was a mediocre Atlanta performance, meaning they will look to bounce back for this game. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a candidate for a bounceback game, especially since he can catch fire from beyond the arc. Saddiq Bey should also look to have a better game after putting up only six points on Thursday.

Despite the Hawks’ motivation to perform better, Brooklyn has the advantage with momentum from the previous game. The team regained confidence with their jumpshots, as the Nets have struggled to make their threes over the past few games. Expect someone like Mikal Bridges to break out of his slump, as the Hawks will look to defend Johnson and Schroder more.

Injury report

Like last game, Brooklyn will not have Cameron Thomas for this game. His natural knack for scoring would’ve been a great addition to the Nets, considering Atlanta will look to play better defense for this game. Ben Simmons is questionable for this game due to a sore left leg. The Aussie could be a big-time contributor with good playmaking and defense when he’s healthy.

Atlanta’s Onyeka Okungwu is still in a walking boot, so he will not be present for this game against Brooklyn. The same goes for All-Star guard Trae Young, who will be out until late March at the earliest.

The second consecutive game between the Nets and Hawks will be bigger than most people think. It is a crucial chapter in the Play-In Tournament race as the Nets look to gain some ground on Atlanta, who sits in the tenth seed.

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Peter Sunjic
PETER SUNJIC

Peter's journey with basketball commenced in the first grade, and it has since evolved into an integral part of his life. Standing on the brink of a potential professional playing career, Peter ultimately chose to pursue a degree in Political Science and Journalism in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite this academic pursuit, his deep-rooted love for the game of basketball endured, undiminished. Now, as a writer and editor, Peter finds an avenue to channel his unwavering passion for basketball-related news and analysis. Whether it's deciphering the latest happenings or delving into the lore of old-school basketball, he covers every corner of the NBA world.

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