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Warriors-Nets Preview
Golden State Warriors at Brooklyn Nets
- The Warriors won the first meeting of the season between these teams, 102-93 on November 21, snapping their three-game losing streak in this series.
- The Nets (+.314) and Warriors (+.263) have the best and third-best improvements, respectively, in win percentage this season.
- Brooklyn has led 12 games at halftime this season, which is second most in the NBA (Thunder -- 15). They are 8-4 in those contests.
- Harrison Barnes is one of just four rookies to start every one of his team's games. He also is tied with Jonas Valanciunas for the most double-doubles by a rookie in 2012-13 (3).
- Stephen Curry has had at least 20 points, 10 assists and two steals in four straight games. That is the longest 20/10/2 streak since Chris Paul had a four-game streak, November 5-12, 2008.
- Andray Blatche is averaging 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game since replacing the injured Brook Lopez in the Nets' starting lineup.
By JEFF MEZYDLO
(AP) -- The Brooklyn Nets managed to rebound nicely the two previous times they suffered back-to-back losses this season.
Again looking to avoid their first three-game skid, the Nets try to avenge an earlier defeat to the visiting Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
Brooklyn (11-6) ran off five straight victories each time following their first two sets of consecutive defeats. The second of those winning streaks was snapped with a 102-89 loss at Miami on Saturday, and the Nets followed that up by falling 117-111 to Oklahoma City on Tuesday as their six-game home win streak ended.
"(Miami and Oklahoma City) are two teams that have been together for a couple of years," said guard Deron Williams, who scored a season-high 33 points Tuesday. "They've won at the highest level and they know how to play together. We're still trying to figure things out."
The Nets' latest defeats came against last season's NBA finalists, and they were competitive versus the Thunder despite playing without center Brook Lopez for a third straight game. Oklahoma City, though, shot 60.6 percent Tuesday.
"A loss is a loss to us," forward Kris Humphries told the Nets' official website. "We're not the Nets of the past few years. No moral victories. We're trying to win games. Friday, that's our approach: get a win. We can't go on losing streaks. That's not what this year's about."
Brooklyn might not have an easy time getting back on track against the Warriors (11-7), who have won eight of 11 including 102-93 over the Nets on Nov. 21.
Lopez scored 22 points but Brooklyn shot 37.5 percent after the first quarter and blew a 13-point lead. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson totaled 22 points and shot 9 of 25.
While there's a good chance Lopez could sit out again with a foot injury, the Nets hope veteran Andray Blatche can continue to produce in his place. Blatche has averaged 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds in the last three games minus Lopez.
Brooklyn also hopes key reserve Reggie Evans returns after he missed Tuesday's game with the flu.
The Nets are 7-2 at home, but face a Warriors team that opened a season-high seven-game eastern trip with a 104-97 win over Detroit on Wednesday. Klay Thompson scored 27 points while backcourt mate Stephen Curry had 22 with 10 assists.
With last season's foot problems apparently behind him, Curry (19.1 points per game) has recorded four straight double-doubles. He's averaged 21.4 points and 9.6 assists while the Warriors have won four of five.
"What I love right now is that Steph is in total control out there on the floor," coach Mark Jackson said. "When things get crazy, I don't feel like I need to call a timeout, because I'm so comfortable with his ability to run this basketball team."
Thompson has averaged 20.1 points in seven games, beginning when he and Curry combined for 48 against the Nets last month.
Updated December 7, 2012
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