The NBA is coming back July 30 and not a moment too soon for basketball fans who have been deprived a proper conclusion to the 2019-20 season since Rudy Gobert’s positive coronavirus test March 11 that set off the worldwide cascade of sports league cancellations. Now, the NBA will look to finish what it started with a 22-team “bubble” at the Disney Resorts in Orlando, an eight-game finish to the regular season and four best-of-7 playoff rounds to determine a champion. We take a look at each of the teams involved as we move closer to the official return and today we’ll look at the Brooklyn Nets team in our Sports Intel preview:

Brooklyn Nets Team Preview 2019-2020 Re-Boot

(30-34, 7th in East, 8.5 games behind No. 6)

Where we left off: In the last ten games ahead of the suspension of the season, the Nets only accumulated five wins.  Granted, one was against the superior LA Lakers on March 10, but the team had several key injuries, as well as the exit of forward Wilson Chandler for PEDs, that prevented it from putting on a better show.  Still, the Nets picked up a playoff spot as the team worked through its injuries, and will have had a chance to regroup during the season hiatus.

Remaining schedule: July 31, Orlando Magic; Aug. 2, Washington Wizards; Aug. 4, Milwaukee Bucks; Aug. 5, Boston Celtics; Aug. 7, Sacramento Kings; Aug. 9, LA Clippers; Aug. 11, Magic; Aug. 13, Portland Trail Blazers.

Projected starting lineup: PG: Jamal Crawford, SG: Caris LeVert, SF: Joe Harris, PF: Rodions Kurucs, C: Jarrett Allen

Key injuries, absentees: PG Spencer Dinwiddie (COVID-19), G Kyle Irving (shoulder), DeAndre Jordan (COVID-19), Kevin Durant (Achilles), Taurean Prince (COVID-19), Michael Beasley (COVID-19)

Odds to Win Title: 150-1

Can they win it all? The NBA odds seem to be in the Nets’ favor, but the lineup doesn’t.  The Nets are entering the bubble with a losing record, several players that opted out of making the trip and several key injuries.  The first game, against the Magic, will set the pace and, if the Nets fail there, they’re likely to fail throughout the upcoming series.  It’s hard to believe Brooklyn will have a real chance at a run on the title, but the team will give it a solid effort.

That’s all for our preview of the Brooklyn Nets team for the re-boot of the 2019-2020 NBA season in Orlando. Join us tomorrow as we look at another team in the mix.