The Brooklyn Nets wrap up their grueling eight-game, 17-day circus road trip on Wednesday night in Cleveland against the Cavaliers.
Here’s what we’ll be watching for:
NO-GO FOR JOE: Joe Johnson will miss his fifth straight game due to a sore left heel. Gerald Wallace (sore left foot) is a game-time decision, but told reporters in Cleveland that he will play. Nets interim coach P.J. Carlesimo told reporters that Keith Bogans will also be a GTD.
MAKING HISTORY? The Nets (42-31) have never had a winning record on the road in the franchise’s entire NBA history. They will try for their 21st road victory of 2012-13. The Nets have also never won more than four games on any road trip in their history. They are 4-3 so far on the trip.
STOPPING THE SKID: The Nets have lost their last two straight games.
They have not played since Saturday, when they lost to Utah. Brooklyn is 26-4 against sub.-.500 teams.
Cleveland (22-51) has lost nine games in a row. The Nets lead the Atlanta Hawks by just a game for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, which would give them homecourt advantage in the first round. Therefore, a win over an inferior opponent is imperative.
D-WILL VS. KYRIE: The Nets are 2-0 against the Cavaliers this season.
In those two games, Deron Williams averaged 20.5 points and 8.5 assists, while Kyrie Irving averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 assists. It’s always fun whenever these two great point guards go head-to-head.