NBA Spurs vs. Nets Picks & Predictions for January 11

Despite most teams in the National Basketball Association sitting out the unofficial start of trade season in December, there is a growing sense that more than a few franchises are ready to entertain deals and that some teams have shifted from taking calls to making them.

Hollins was axed while general manager Billy King was reassigned in the wake of the Nets loss on Saturday to the Detroit Pistons. “And I think we did”. Unlike Prokhorov, he did not issue any big proclamations, opting to just say the team needed to play a little harder and smarter. Tony Brown will take over as interim Head Coach.

-Spurs coach Gregg Popovich commented on recently fired Lionel Hollins saying, “He’s a good friend and a heck of a coach”.

James Harden had 21 points for the Rockets and Dwight Howard added 21 points and 17 rebounds for his fifth straight double-double in his return after missing a game with soreness in his lower back.

On what he has learned from the coaches he has worked for, “That’s a tough one”.

Boston’s Avery Bradley, a former player for Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, returned to the starting lineup after missing the previous three games because of a sore left hip. He will always be the guy that gave me my first start. “I think he’s a super human being, a tremendous coach”.

Brook Lopez, who has gone long stretches without shooting in the past, shot 20 times and helped the Nets hang around longer than they probably should have. I would also like to thank Brett Yormark and his staff for a great partnership. He has a great passion for the game. If you’re in it for any other reason, then you probably shouldn’t be there. “They definitely know how to play together and that’s something we’re going to strive and try to do here”. Assistant general manager Frank Zanin will act as interim GM, Prokhorov said, and assistant coach Tony Brown will serve as interim head coach.

“I don’t like to analyze mistakes and lessons in public”, Prokhorov said. “I’m really optimistic. I am very committed to win the championship”. However, the Spurs owned the third quarter outscoring Brooklyn, 32-18 and opened up the game to a blowout. That’s one thing that isn’t going to change and with $40 Million in cap space coming into Prokhorov’s wallet this summer, expect Brooklyn to do whatever it takes to make a huge splash. This season, without veterans such as Garnett and Deron Williams, the Nets attempted to get younger and more athletic, although a recent season-ending injury to Jarrett Jack seemed to curb whatever enthusiasm remained in the borough.

“My family and I thoroughly loved our experience in New Jersey and here in Brooklyn, and hope fans experience the success they deserve”, he said.