Brooklyn faces lingering questions about how it wants to finish out the season. Here's where to watch and the betting line.
The Brooklyn Nets can use Wednesday's game as a learning lesson.
The defending world champion Oklahoma City Thunder roll into Barclays. OKC is the massive favorite here, by 19.5-points per FanDuel Sportsbook.
Plus as expected, Brooklyn won't have leading scorer Michael Porter Jr. amid his lingering ankle injury. Which also sparks the idea of resting MPJ for the rest of the season with nothing else to play for.
If anything, head coach Jordi Fernandez and general manager Sean Marks can gain some additional nuggets here with OKC on the floor.
They can learn OKC's ecosystem, how the Thunder rolls out their rotations, plus how they free up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to gain one-on-one scoring opportunities.
Obviously it's not the first time Brooklyn has faced this version of the Thunder. Yet still, the Nets can take advantage of being in a copycat league. They can use elements of the Thunder to build their championship DNA moving forward.
Brooklyn does have pieces in place that can generate excitement for the future. Egor Demin impressed before shutting down for the rest of the season with his foot ailment. Nolan Traore has played at a fast tempo to put defenses on their heels. Danny Wolf has shown flashes of stepping up inside. Now Ben Saraf has become a valuable contributor in earning more minutes.
Then there's the chance of landing AJ Dybantsa of BYU come June. Or Duke's versatile Cameron Boozer with the Nets' first round selection. Kingston Flemings of Houston and Darryn Peterson of Kansas are two more who could attract Marks and the Nets' front office come draft night.
But once again, Brooklyn can use tonight as an educational lesson on how to build a championship roster moving forward. Especially with the young talent in place.
The Thunder not long ago were on the Nets' boat. OKC was a 22-win then 24-win team during the first two seasons of head coach Mark Daigneault. But season three saw signs of a rising playoff contender. Year four witnessed a 57-25 mark. Then they won the NBA Finals by going 68-14 overall in season five together.
The Marks/Fernandez collaboration can earn some wisdom from OKC on roster construction and championship building on this night. Even if the Thunder beats them in one-sided fashion.
The YES Network and FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma will be airing the contest for fans.
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