The Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat are playing live on the NBA schedule on Sunday and the matchup from AmericanAirlines Arena starts at 6 pm ET and comes as both teams are looking to gain their footing in the eastern conference as Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, Dwyane Wade and Luol Deng matchup.
The Miami Heat come into the game at third in the southwest division standings and they are still looking to recover from LeBron leaving this offseason. The team won over the Cavaliers on Christmas Day to get some satisfaction, but the team is just 14-20 and while that is not a great start, they are still in the mix in the eastern conference. Miami is ranked 27th in the league in points per game and that has been one of the biggest reasons for their struggles.
Miami is ranked 11th in the league in points allowed per game this season and they are in the bottom part of the league in rebounding and assists. The team needs to do more overall and they come in after Chris Bosh returned to score 15 points in the loss against the Rockets. The team next plays against the Blazers as they start a road trip and they have been one of the best teams in the league this season.
The Brooklyn Nets come into the game at 16-16 on the season and they are second in the Atlantic and won last over the Orlando Magic by two. The team has Miami and then the Dallas Mavericks and that will be a tough matchup, as the Mavs have been one of the best teams in the league. The Mavs picked up Rajon Rondo, while the Nets are using their star point guard off the bench for now.
The Nets are ranked 22nd in the league in scoring and 10th in defense and they come in with Mason Plumlee as one of their new leaders. Plumlee led the team with 18 points in the win against the Magic and he has been the key to the team playing well at times this season. Deron Williams has been working along with head coach Lionel Hollins and that has put the Nets in position to stay in contention in the east.
Check here for the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat live coverage.
