Nets set for city pride as Heat burn Bulls
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Tonight’s NBA action sees the Knicks head across town to take on local rivals Brooklyn, while champions Miami head to the mid-west to face a Chicago side with a strong home record.
Before the start of the season the debate over who would be Kings of New York saw basketball fans argue about whether Brooklyn or New York would have the most success.
But, while tonight’s matchup still offers bragging rights, the Nets and the Knicks are fighting to say “we’re not as bad as you” rather than “we’re the best team in the city”.
Jason Kidd’s debut season as head coach of the Nets has been uninspiring to say the least, with the Barclays Center outfit 5-13, but the former New Jersey man will be confident of a win when the 3-13 Knicks make the short trip across the river from Madison Square Garden.
Both teams are in awful form but the Nets 2-8 record from the last 10, which includes a recent win over Memphis, shows they at least have a taste of a winning feeling, while New York have now lost nine on the spin.
Carmelo Anthony recently conceded that his side are the “laughing stock of the league” and while Kidd has claimed “both teams stink”, backers can be sure his side stinks less.
With just three points separating the sides’ scoring average a close game is certainly on the cards, but the Nets’ 95.28ppg over the Knicks’92.81ppg suggests the home side will come out on top.
Welcoming reigning champions who boast a 14-4 record would usually be a daunting experience but Chicago will be more confident than most when Miami head to the United Center.
With a 7-9 record this year and without star man Derrick Rose many will anticipate a walk in the park for LeBron James and co.
However, the Bulls have an impressive seven wins from their last 12 regular season meetings with Miami and have been solid at home, losing just once this term in the Windy City.
That said, with playoff games included the champions are on a five-game winning streak over the hosts and star man James enjoys playing in Chi Town.
The four-time MVP is averaging 30.8 points from his last four matches against the Bulls and with the third-highest average in the NBA so far this year looks set to be the difference once again.
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