The headlines regarding the matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Brooklyn Nets will not be about who wins and who loses, it will be about the reunion between Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers. The three were long-time partners with the Boston Celtics but went their separate ways after the team dismantled in the offseason.
The trio have had their fair share of reunions over the past few days. Pierce and Garnett faced the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. Rivers faced them on Wednesday and now the Clippers and Nets meet up Thursday. Noting that the game against Boston was not nearly as bad considering Rivers was not there, Garnett believes seeing him on the sidelines with the Clippers might be tough.
The Clippers and Nets met up back in November, but both Garnett and Pierce sat out with injuries. Brook Lopez and Deron Williams were also out as the Nets fell 110-103. Now, everyone is available for the game including Williams who had missed nine-straight games with a sprained ankle. He returned against Boston to put up 25 points.
The matchup could come down to the two point guards. Chris Paul and Williams have a long-time rivalry ever since getting drafted in 2005. Paul was picked fourth while Williams was picked third. Their numbers mirror one another. Williams is averaging 16.7 points and 8.5 assists, while Paul is putting up 16.4 points and 9.2 assists.
Brooklyn is riding a two-game win streak and looking to keep the momentum alive. Their defense showed up big time, allowing opponents to shoot just 42.5 points in those two games. The first 19 games opponents were shooting an average of 46.3 percent.
The Nets have the edge over the Clippers on the road. Los Angeles has dropped its last five road games to Brooklyn. Williams holds a 14-5 edge over Paul.
