Nets Opening Night Storylines and Predictions
The wait is finally over. The much anticipated Brooklyn Nets season opener is here and Barclays Center will be packed to gills. Kyrie Irving's regular season debut will be met with much fanfare and garner interest across the league.
In all likelihood, the Nets starting lineup will go as follows:
| Nets' Starters |
|---|
PG Kyrie Irving |
SG Joe Harris |
SF Caris LeVert |
PF Taurean Prince |
C Jarrett Allen |
A solid starting five with only one surprise as the young Allen beat out veteran DeAndre Jordan for the starting spot. In reality, the two bigs will likely split minutes and head coach Kenny Atkinson intimated that he would ride the hot hand on a nightly basis.
Brooklyn will have the edge at point guard, small forward, and power forward while the T-Wolves will have the edge at shooting guard and center.
| Timberwolves' Starters |
|---|
PG Jeff Teague |
SG Andrew Wiggins |
SF Jake Layman |
PF Robert Covington |
C Karl-Anthony Towns |
Ryan Saunders, son of former Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders, has taken the reigns in Minnesota and will make his head coaching debut. Atkinson knows Teague well going back to their days together with the Hawks. Minnesota has shown a propensity for offensive firepower, but no committment on the defensive side of the ball.
When Tom Thibodeau tried to preach defense to his squad as Minnesota's head coach, the message fell on deaf ears. There will be plenty of scoring in this anticipated 3-point barrage and the Nets will need to come up with just enough defensive stops to pull this one out.
Look for Brooklyn to put on an offensive showcase as they outlast Minnesota 127-118. Irving will have a solid debut with 27 points, nine assists and four rebounds to go along with three steals. Brooklyn's will have five players in double figures as Allen (12) Prince (14) LeVery (18) and Harris (15) will join Irving in the scoring parade.
Brooklyn will start the season off on the right foot, but the team's defensive deficiencies will still be evident in this high scoring affair.
FINAL PREDICTION: Nets 127 Timberwolves 119 Final.
