5 things to watch: Spurs vs. Nets

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The San Antonio Spurs (39-12) will next face the Brooklyn Nets (29-21) in Brooklyn for game three of their annual Rodeo Road Trip. This is the final meeting between the Spurs and Nets this season. Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are still day-to-day due to injury.

The Spurs won the first game 104-73 on Dec. 31 in San Antonio. Tony Parker led the team with 20 points and 6 rebounds while Tim Duncan added 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Nets were led by MarShon Brooks’ 16 points. The Spurs held Brooklyn to opponent season-low 5 third quarter points and 26 second-half points.

The Spurs are 1-1 so far on the extended trip and are coming off a 119-109 loss to the Pistons which snapped their 11-game winning streak. Parker scored 31 points to pace the Spurs in the loss.

The Nets are coming off a 74-89 loss to the Wizards in Washington. The Nets were led by Deron Williams with team-highs of 20 points and five assists.

And as the Spurs and Nets get set to collide, here are five things to watch for during the game:

• San Antonio’s .630 (17-10) road winning percentage ranks first in the NBA.

• Brooklyn has held 30 of their first 50 opponents under 100 points in regulation and is 23-7 in those games.

• The Nets are 17-2 when holding an opponent under 90 points this season and 5-0 when an opponent fails to hit 80.

• A Nets starting lineup of Williams-Johnson-Wallace-Evans-Lopez is now 12-6 on the season.

• In his seven games as a starter this season for the Nets, Andray Blatche is averaging 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 54.5% from the field.