Level guard Ben Simmons will return to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday after lacking the final two weeks with a calf damage. Sharpshooting small ahead Yuta Watanabe missed eight video games with a hamstring damage, and he’s eyeing a return this weekend as nicely, when the Nets play back-to-back video games in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers.
Ahead Yuta Watanabe (18) and level guard Ben Simmons (10) are each scheduled to return to the Brooklyn Nets after stints on the damage listing. (Picture: USA At present Sports activities)
Simmons missed the final 4 video games with a left calf pressure. However a sore knee and again damage stored him out of the lineup earlier within the season.
I’m excited the place I’m at proper now,” Simmons instructed reporters after a latest observe. “I’m searching for Friday to get again on the courtroom.”
The Nets went 3-1 with out Simmons within the beginning lineup, together with a loss in opposition to the first-place Boston Celtics on Sunday.
The Nets improved to 14-12 after holding off the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night time. They presently occupy second place within the Atlantic Division behind the Celtics. After a shaky 2-6 begin to the season, the Nets received 12 out of their final 18 video games. If the season ended at this time, the Nets would snag the #4 seed within the Jap Convention playoffs.
Simmons Trying to find His Groove in Brooklyn
In his first full season with the Nets, a slumping Simmons averages 8.4 factors, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per recreation. He appeared in 17 video games and began in 14, however missed 9 video games as a result of a number of accidents.
It’s plenty of load for getting back from a again damage after which additionally the knee,” Simmons instructed ESPN. “So, I’m glad I had this time to construct some muscle round it and we’ll work on it.”
Simmons tweaked his proper calf within the entrance finish of back-to-back video games in late November. He performed solely 11 minutes in opposition to the Orlando Magic earlier than he exited with a decent calf. Head coach Jacques Vaughn rested Simmons over the past 4 video games, however Simmons thinks the calf damage is expounded to his gradual restoration from low season again surgical procedure.
“While you begin speaking about again accidents, you begin utilizing completely different muscle groups, you wish to load and lean or no matter it’s,” mentioned Simmons. “It’s all associated in some side.”
Simmons is capturing 61.4% from the ground, and a career-low 54.5% from the free-throw line. Simmons missed his lone 3-point try in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies early within the season.
The left-handed Simmons has an unorthodox capturing kind and a janky leap shot. Quite a few consultants suppose his poor mechanics are the rationale he’s an terrible exterior shooter and free-throw shooter. Simmons diligently labored on his capturing within the low season, however he nonetheless struggles along with his jumper, which is why he has tried just one 3-pointer all season.
Watanabe Led NBA in 3-Level Capturing
A few weeks in the past, if I requested you who led the NBA in 3-point capturing, you’d in all probability guess Steph Curry or Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors. Yuta Watanabe, a backup ahead from the Nets, really led the NBA in 3-point share previous to his damage.
In 14 video games with the Nets, Watanabe averaged 8.1 factors in 18 minutes of motion off the bench. Nonetheless, he averaged 14.5 factors per recreation in his final 4 video games earlier than his hamstring damage. He made essentially the most of his restricted courtroom time by pulling down a scorching 57.1% of his 3-point makes an attempt.
You may inform how a lot my teammates belief me by passing me the ball,” Watanabe mentioned after scoring 16 factors off the bench in a victory in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Watanabe emerged because the Nets’ most dependable nook shooter earlier than he missed the final three weeks with a proper hamstring damage.
Watanabe performed his collegiate ball at George Washington. He turned the primary Japanese-born basketball participant to safe a scholarship to a Division I faculty. He went undrafted within the NBA, however latched on with the Memphis Grizzlies and their developmental staff, the Memphis Hustle, for 2 seasons. He spent two extra seasons as a reserve with the Toronto Raptors earlier than becoming a member of the Nets this season.
The Nets anticipate Watanabe may go well with up someday quickly. If he’s not in a position to play on Friday in opposition to the Hawks, he may return on Saturday in opposition to the Indiana Pacers.
“My hamstring is feeling good,” mentioned Watanabe. “Hopefully I can play this weekend.”
Nets Lengthy Shot to Win First Division Title in Brooklyn
The Nets are +1200 odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship because the sixth-highest staff on the DraftKings’ futures board. Within the race for the Jap Convention crown, the Nets are +600 odds to win their convention and safe a spot within the 2023 NBA Finals. Solely the Celtics (+150) and Milwaukee Bucks (+300) have higher convention odds.
The Celtics are an enormous favourite at -3500 odds to win the Atlantic Division for the second consecutive season after build up a seven-game lead. Solely two video games separate the opposite 4 groups within the Atlantic, and the second-place Nets are +2500 odds to win the division.
Since they relocated to Brooklyn in 2012, the Nets haven’t received a division crown. They final received the Atlantic Division through the 2005-06 season because the New Jersey Nets.
The Nets have been successful video games not too long ago, however proceed to wrestle to cowl the purpose unfold with an 11-14-1 report in opposition to the unfold. They’re tied for the ninth-worst ATS report within the NBA.
