Someone could land higher than the other once the NBA Draft lottery takes place. Here's a preview of Indiana versus Brooklyn.
It's the Barclays Center finale for the Brooklyn Nets as they host the Indiana Pacers.
The next time Brooklyn takes the floor, the franchise will likely have a high-profile rookie with them via the 2026 NBA Draft.
Speaking of the latter event, this game carries big implications ahead of the draft lottery.
The winner will decrease its chances of landing the top overall pick per the lottery rankings. But the loser can increase their chances.
For the longest time, Brooklyn was ahead of Indiana. Now it appears the Nets are losing ground in the race to the No. 1 pick. Arkansas sharpshooter Darius Acuff Jr. is projected as the third overall selection.
Erik Slater of ClutchPoints laid out the new scenarios facing the Nets moving forward.
"A couple of silver linings for Nets fans following the tank race for the thirrd lottery spot: The Jazz have two days off before playing the Grizzlies on Friday. Memphis is tied with Dallas for sixth in the lottery standings and has been tanking hard," Slater posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He also dove into what happens with Sacramento, another team attached to the Nets in the race to No. 1.
"The Kings have two days off before playing the Warriors on Friday. Golden State will be on the 2nd night of a back-to-back. Steph Curry is questionable today. If he plays, he would likely sit tomorrow," Slater said.
So how will this impact the Nets or Pacers? Slater believes this current scenario benefits the former more.
"Those should both be winnable games for the Jazz and Kings, which could allow the Nets to win one more game and maintain sole possession of third," Slater said.
But is it Indiana or Brooklyn as the favorite here?
The Pacers enter as the projected winner, with the Nets entering home as a 3.5-point underdog per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Brooklyn once again has needed to roll without a vastly different lineup amid injuries. Michael Porter Jr. isn't available until next season due to his ankle. Same with impact rookies Egor Demin and Danny Wolf. The franchise also must decide what to do with Ziaire Williams and Day'Ron Sharpe, plus NBA Trade Deadline additions Josh Minott and Ochai Agbaji.
But the Nets have a chance to give their fans one more win in what's become a forgettable season. They're facing a team that'll have renewed expectations after a loss season.
The YES Network and FanDuel Sports Network Indiana will air the game.
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