Kuzma and the Wizards visit conference foe Brooklyn

Updated Feb. 17, 2022 3:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Washington Wizards (26-31, 11th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Brooklyn Nets (31-27, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

New York; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST

LINE: Nets -3

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn hosts Washington in a matchup of Eastern Conference teams.

The Nets are 21-12 in conference play. Brooklyn is 6-1 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Wizards are 19-19 in conference play. Washington ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference with 34.6 defensive rebounds per game led by Kyle Kuzma averaging 7.7.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Wizards won the last matchup 113-112 on Feb. 11. Raul Neto scored 21 points to help lead the Wizards to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Patty Mills averages 3.2 made 3-pointers per game for the Nets, scoring 13.2 points while shooting 41.4% from beyond the arc. Kevin Durant is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists over the past 10 games for Brooklyn.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc with 2.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Wizards, while averaging 11.7 points. Kuzma is averaging 20.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists over the last 10 games for Washington.

LAST 10 GAMES: Nets: 2-8, averaging 105.8 points, 42.6 rebounds, 22.0 assists, 7.5 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.7 points per game.

Wizards: 3-7, averaging 102.8 points, 41.8 rebounds, 23.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.4 points.

INJURIES: Nets: Ben Simmons: out (back), Joe Harris: out (ankle), Kevin Durant: out (knee), Kyrie Irving: out (ineligible to play).

Wizards: Daniel Gafford: out (reconditioning), Bradley Beal: out for season (wrist), Rui Hachimura: out (ankle), Kristaps Porzingis: out (knee).

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