Inside The Nets

GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

The Nets return from the All-Star break with the first game under Kevin Ollie.

Peter Sunjic

© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Brooklyn Nets are starting the second half of the season with a rejuvenated squad. The Nets are playing under a new coach after Jacque Vaughn’s dismissal. Interim head coach Kevin Ollie will be coaching his first NBA game after spending most of the season as an assistant to JV.

The Nets will be visiting the Scotiabank Arena to play the visiting Toronto Raptors. It will be an exciting game for Brooklyn, as the roster is fully healthy for the first time this season. Mikal Bridges and Cameron Thomas will be the team’s stars, but they will have a solid supporting cast.

Toronto will be a hard matchup

The Raptors might have a worse record than the Nets, but they will still be a challenging opponent. Toronto has an All-Star player in Scottie Barnes, who the Nets will struggle to defend, as he can overpower his matchups. The former Florida State Seminole averages 20.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and six assists, which makes him the biggest star on the Raptors.

Barnes’ supporting cast has made massive strides since the trade deadline, with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley giving Toronto perimeter threats. Bridges and Thomas will be their primary matchups, and the Nets duo will likely perform better, especially since they feel refreshed.

For the Nets, there are plenty of questions surrounding the team due to the coaching change. However, this roster is still the same as the previous regime, which means the focal points are known. Bridges and Thomas are the two stars on offense, but you can also expect Nic Claxton to be more involved offensively.

Now that Ollie’s in charge, he wants to focus on energetic play, which means players like Dennis Smith Jr. and Jalen Wilson will likely play plenty of minutes.

Injury report

The Nets’ injury report only has Dariq Whitehead, who’s out for the season due to shin surgery. He did not get regular rotation minutes when healthy, which means this game is the first time Brooklyn is not dealing with any injuries.

The Raptors’ only injured player is Markquis Nowell, who sustained a left hamstring strain in late January. This lack of injuries between both teams means the game will likely be competitive. Expect the Nets to come out with good energy, given they want to prove promoting Ollie was the right choice.

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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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