NBA Gameday: Even without Durant, Warriors heavy favorites vs Nets

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OAKLAND -- The Warriors close out a two-game homestand as heavy favorites Saturday night, when they play host to the reeling Brooklyn Nets at Oracle Arena.

The Warriors (48-9) for the first time this season will be without Kevin Durant, who is coping with a hand injury and will sit in what is the equivalent of a rest night against a team that has lost its last 15 games.

Because Warriors coach Steve Kerr is loathe to disrupt his usual bench rotations and the Nets are likely to start three guards, it’s conceivable that rookie wing Pat McCaw could get the start at small forward in place of Durant.

Though Brooklyn (9-48) is coming off a 129-109 loss Friday night in Denver, that game featured the return of point guard Jeremy Lin after a 26-game absence with a strained hamstring.

BETTING LINE:
Warriors by 20.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
Zaza Pachulia vs. Brook Lopez. Though he has gotten lost in the sheer sub-mediocrity of the Nets, Lopez remains one of the league’s most talented offensive centers. His 20.7 points per game ranks second among players listed at center. On a per-minute basis, Lopez is No. 1. Though Pachulia will lead the charge, expect JaVale McGee and David West to also spend time defending Lopez.

INJURY REPORT:
Warriors: F Kevin Durant (L hand contusion) is listed as out. C Damian Jones is on assignment with Santa Cruz of the NBA Development League.

Nets: F Quincy Acy (L ankle sprain) is listed as out.

LAST 10:
Warriors: 8-2. Nets: 0-10.

SERIES HISTORY:
The Warriors prevailed in the first meeting this season, 117-101, on Dec. 22 at Brooklyn and have won the last three meetings. They have won 13 of the last 18 meetings and 10 of the last 11 played in Oakland.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH:
CURRY FROM DEEP: Stephen Curry is nine triples away from passing Lakers legend Kobe Bryant (1,827) and moving into 11th place on the all-time list of 3-pointers made. The last time the Nets came to Oakland (Nov. 14, 2015), Curry made five 3-pointers to surpass his father, Dell, on the all-time list. Curry also enjoys facing Lin.

THE ROTATIONS: Durant’s absence is bound to affects the minutes of everyone from Andre Iguodala to Kevon Looney to James Michael McAdoo to McCaw. Though no one can effectively replicate Durant’s game, it will be interesting to see how Kerr distributes playing time.

TRIPLE OVERDRIVE: The Warriors take a lot of 3-pointers, ranking fifth in the NBA. The Nets take even more triples, ranking fourth. Moreover, the teams rank 1-2 in pace, with Brooklyn at the top and the Warrior right behind. The upshot: a pace race between teams that love to launch.

 

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