Nets Nearing Play-in Spot

Meanwhile, the Nets have won three of their last four. The last two came against Atlanta, the team that they trail by 2.0 games for the final Eastern Conference play-in spot. Without Cam Thomas again, Brooklyn will try to keep pushing through the NBA’s 19th-best defensive rating. They held five straight foes under 110 points. The Nets are the eighth-best team at defending the rim and seventh-best in midrange areas. That hides a three-point defense that’s 25th in the league. Brooklyn is 17th in defensive rebounding percentage, 20th in free throw attempts allowed, and 26th in turnovers per game. They’re running hot right now. Let’s see if they can keep it up.

On the other end, the Nets are 20th in offensive rating. Their strength is the seventh-best turnover percentage. Efficiency-wise, Brooklyn is 25th in true shooting percentage. They take the eighth-most threes per game, although they’re below average in efficiency from all three scoring levels. The Nets are 12th in offensive rebounding percentage and 26th in free throw attempts (and percentage). Will their winning streak reach three on Monday?

Memphis Misery

The Grizzlies, 13th in the Western Conference, come into this contest with a five-game losing streak. Their highest-scoring performance of the stretch ended with 101 total points, even with an overtime period sprinkled in. That’s how it tends to work for this team which is last in offensive rating. It doesn’t help that eight players, including Ja Morant, have been out for a while. Memphis is 29th in true shooting percentage, with the second-worst efficiency at the rim and beyond the arc. They’re 22nd in offensive rebounding percentage, 27th in turnover percentage, and 24th in free throw attempts per game. Let’s see if the league’s lowest-scoring offense can reach 100 to begin their week.

Yet, through all of the injuries, the Grizzlies are 10th in defensive rating this season. They only allowed more than 110 points once during this five-game skid. Reigning DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. may be hurt, but this team is still the fifth-best at defending the rim. It helps to mask shaky perimeter defense. Memphis forced the second-most turnovers per contest. This team is 21st in defensive rebounding percentage and ranks 12th in free throw attempts allowed. What will they bring with them on this road trip?