The New Jersey Nets will look to come home from their four-game West Coast swing with a split Monday afternoon when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.
In addition to losing Saturday's 107-94 loss to the Jazz in Deron Williams' return to Utah, the Nets also dropped the opener to their road trip 123-115 to the Denver Nuggets. New Jersey's lone win in their three games away from Newark was a 110-103 victory over the Steve Nash-less Phoenix Suns on Friday night.
Against the Jazz, the Nets were led by forward Kris Humphries' 18 points and 10 rebounds as he continues to help fill the void for the injured Brook Lopez. Williams chipped in 16 points and five assists, but also five turnovers while receiving a mixed reaction from the Utah crowd.
The Clippers have won two in a row and five of six, including a 102-94 triumph over their arena-mates the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. The Clippers lost point guard Chris Paul to a hamstring injury against the Lakers and is questionable for Monday's game, though his MRI on Sunday was negative. If he sits, Los Angeles could go with a "big" lineup that includes Caron Butler at shooting guard and Blake Griffin on the wing, coach Vinny Del Negro told reporters.
New Jersey won both games against Los Angeles last season, but that team was very different than the one the Nets will face this time around.
You can watch the game on YES or listen on WFAN 660 with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m..
After Monday's matchup the Nets will come home to face another West Coast team, the Golden State Warriors, at the Prudential Center Wednesday night.