2 min read • January 03, 2022
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Advantage: Nets' wings
When the 23-11 Nets and the 23-14 Grizzlies face off in Brooklyn on Monday afternoon, Brooklyn will finally be on the plus side of a COVID-19 outbreak.
Memphis is in the midst of its own health and safety protocols problem, as after the addition of forward Kyle Anderson on Sunday, there are 7 Grizzlies out, including 4 key wings.
De'Anthony Melton and Dillon Brooks are the closest to clearing, as both were placed on Dec. 26, but they were both ruled out for Monday's contest. Brooks will be the biggest loss: he has a team-high +4.8 on/off rating and +7.9 net rating in 19 games this season.
Despite all of these missing players, the Grizzlies have won 4 in a row, and previously ran off a 10-2 record in the 12-game stretch without Ja Morant earlier this season.
Brooklyn is as close to full health as it has been all season, and both Kevin Durant and James Harden will have nearly free rein on the court without the interference of physical defenders Brooks and Brandon Clarke. Patty Mills, DeAndre' Bembry, Nic Claxton, and Bruce Brown will provide big minutes from the bench.
LaMarcus Aldridge is questionable with foot soreness, and the Nets are confirmed to be missing Kyrie Irving, who could be on his way back in the coming week, according to head coach Steve Nash, and Joe Harris, who is recovering from ankle surgery in late November.
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