Coming off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night, the Brooklyn Nets will try to get back on the winning track against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night at 9 ET. Here’s what we’ll be watching for:
WILL JOE BE A GO? Joe Johnson suffered a quadriceps contusion in the third quarter of the team’s 101-95 loss to the Clippers. Johnson, who was clearly bothered by the injury and scored just five points after amassing 10 in the opening period, is averaging just 12.8 points in his past 11 games on 40.4 percent shooting. The 31-year-old shooting guard told reporters in L.A. that he was uncertain if he’d be able to play. Even if he does, you’d think he would only be able to play limited minutes.
PICKING ON BOTTOM-FEEDERS: The Nets are 24-4 against sub-.500 teams (at time of game played). The Suns (23-47) have lost two straight and eight of their past 10. Brooklyn beat Phoenix 99-79 on Jan. 11 at Barclays Center.
WALLACE’S WORLD: After shooting just 24.1 percent in his previous eight games, Gerald Wallace erupted for 15 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field Saturday night. Thirteen of those 15 points came in the third quarter. Wallace also added five assists, three rebounds and three steals. If only the Nets could get those numbers from their $40 million small forward on a regular basis.
BROOK-LYN: In his past seven games, Brook Lopez is averaging 22 points and 6.6 rebounds on 58.7 percent shooting.