The New Jersey Nets will play the role of home team on Friday afternoon against the Toronto Raptors, even though the team had to travel across the Atlantic Ocean just to get to the arena. That's what happens when you are a participating in the first ever regular season game in Europe, which will happen at the o2 Arena in London.
PG Deron Williams is still searching for his first victory as a member of the Nets after dropping his first three, including a 104-103 heartbreaker Monday night to the Phoenix Suns in overtime. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 28 points, while Anthony Morrow had 22 and Williams delivered his third straight double-double with 13 points and 18 assists.
The Raptors have lost four of their last six, but were 96-90 winners Tuesday night in Toronto against the New Orleans Hornets. Jose Calderon paced the home team with a season-high 22 points and 16 assists. DeMar DeRozan had 17 while Sonny Weems added 14 off the bench.
Williams, with a strained right wrist and bruised left hand, is expected to play, as is Jordan Farmar, who missed the Suns game with an ankle injury but practiced in full on Thursday.
Andrea Bargnani missed a game last weekend with flu-like symptoms, but he returned on Tuesday to score 14 points and should not have any limitations in London.
These two teams will meet up again on Saturday -- another Nets "home" game -- before making the trip back to North America.