The New Jersey Nets still don't know if they will get a chance to meet with Carmelo Anthony and finally figure out if he will be open to playing in Newark (and then Brooklyn). What they do know is that no matter who is -- or isn't -- going to be on the team next week, they need a victory now.
The Nets have already lost the first three games of their West coast road trip and five overall. The finale of their trip will be Monday against the Golden State Warriors who are fresh off an impressive 122-112 victory over the improved Los Angeles Clippers.
They may have struggled to stay near .500, but the Warriors have no issues putting up points. Their 102.4 points per game is 8th best in the NBA. They are led by Monta Ellis' 25.7 points per game while Stephen Curry has been good for 18.3. The surprise of the season has been Dorell Wright, who after never putting up more than 7.9 points in his six seasons, is contributing 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds.
Brook Lopez will try to continue his hot streak for the Nets after scoring 35 and 32 points in each of his last two games, respectively. However, in those same two games, Devin Harris has been nearly invisible averaging 7 points as the trade talk clearly has hurt his play.
The Warriors are 10-7 at home this season and have owned New Jersey at ORACLE Arena. The Nets haven't picked up a victory in Oakland since December 22, 2007.
Up next for the Nets is "Russian Culture Night" Wednesday at the Prudential Center against the Utah Jazz. Owner Mikhail Prokhorov will be in attendance and may or may not have a resolution to the Carmelo Anthony saga.