Playoff Rematch: The Nets and Hawks play each other for the first time since last year’s first-round playoff matchup, where the Nets pushed the Hawks to six games, but ultimately fell 4-2. Brook Lopez had a solid series for the Nets, averaging 19.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game.
Joe Johnson vs. the Hawks: Joe Johnson plays some of his best basketball against his former team. The Nets’ forward averaged 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists against the Hawks in last year’s playoffs, up from 15.8 points per game vs. the Hawks in the regular season. Johnson is coming off a solid game Monday, posting 14 points and a team-high six assists against Milwaukee. Johnson played seven seasons in Atlanta, scoring over 10,000 points.
Jarrett Jack’s Status: Jarrett Jack missed Tuesday’s practice with a tight left hamstring, but is listed as probable to play in Wednesday’s game. Jack scored 15 points (5-for-11) with three rebounds and four assists on Monday, his 25th game with double-digit scoring in 30 starts as a Net. Joe Johnson and Bojan Bogdanovic both took rest days on Tuesday and are expected to play Wednesday.
Improvements: The Nets shot 18-of-22 from the free throw line and scored 14 fastbreak points, both improvements from their first three games. Bojan Bogdanovic has doubled his average production in the Nets’ past two games, posting 33 points combined (19 vs. Memphis, 14 vs. Milwaukee). The Nets’ bench is averaging 36.8 points per game, ranking 11th in the League.
Atlanta Hawks: After finishing 60-22 last season, the Hawks are off to a 4-1 start, picking up their fourth straight win on Tuesday night, a 98-92 victory over the Miami Heat. Jeff Teague leads the Hawks in both points and assists per game (18.2 points, 5.0 assists) and is coming off a 26-point, nine-assist game vs. Miami. Paul Millsap is Atlanta’s top rebounder with 8.8 per game. The Hawks currently lead the Southeast Division.
