The Brooklyn Nets will play the Detroit Pistons tonight in an NBA matchup at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, Michigan. The game will be live streamed online on the FSDT network at 7:30 PM ET.
Brooklyn (8-14) has been a major disappointment so far, and the blockbuster offseason trade that landed Pierce and Garnett from Boston seemed to be a major reason why.
That appears to be changing, though, as the two veterans have found a groove while the Nets have tightened their defense. They have won three games in a row, holding opponents to an average of 90.3 points and 40.8 percent from the floor -- a vast improvement from the 103.4 points per game and 46.3 percent shooting they allowed prior to that stretch.
The performances seemed to provide a spark for the Nets.
"We hope so. I think our experience, our competitiveness, our leadership, hopefully can rub off on everybody," Pierce said. "We're starting to see signs of that, and that's what we're here for."
Brooklyn may be looking for a similar response against the Pistons (10-13) after losing 109-97 at home to them Nov. 24, despite getting 19 points from Pierce.
Brook Lopez is averaging 24.0 points over the past four games despite being held to 16 on Thursday. He missed the latest meeting with Detroit due to a sore ankle, and he's averaged 21.3 points in seven career road matchups, with the Nets winning the past two.
While the Nets are surging, the Pistons are struggling defensively during their three-game slide. Opponents have averaged 114.0 points on 49.4 percent shooting, including 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Their woes continued Wednesday, falling 111-106 in overtime at New Orleans while being outrebounded 51-43.
"It's on Greg (Monroe) and I to figure it out. We can't continue to let guys come in our paint and do those kinds of things to us," center Andre Drummond said. "It's a building process and we're going to figure it out. It's not going to happen for too long."
Drummond is doing his part, leading the team with an average of 12.7 rebounds while adding 13.1 points per game. He had nine points and 10 boards at Brooklyn last month.
Monroe, who had 28 points and 10 boards Thursday, is averaging 19.6 and 9.8, respectively, over five career home meetings with the Nets.
