The Nets take on the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Celtics tonight (7:30; YES, WFAN) looking for their fourth win of the season. Kris Humphries, acquired from the Mavericks this week, will be making his Nets debut and will try to help Brook Lopez with rebounding, which has been one of many sore spots this season for the 3-34 Nets.
“I played against Humphries in college,” Devin Harris said. “He is a strong player and he can rebound the ball. [Humphries] is another guy who can help us since we’ve been struggling in the rebound department.”
The Nets are tied for 29th in the NBA in rebounding. The team’s 39.2 rebounds per game are led by Lopez, with 9.6 per game. Next on the team is Yi Jianlian with 7.5, followed by Josh Boone with 5.6. No other player is averaging more than five a game.
“For me, it’s just an opportunity to play and make the most of it,” Humphries said. “We’re trying to win games and my attitude is I’m gonna compete every night.”
The Nets are trying to avoid the most losses in a season (73 by the 76ers in 1973). At least the team has a good chance to land the top lottery pick in the draft.
“We’ve got a lot of talent on this team, from what I’ve seen in the past,” Humphries said. “I’m just gonna come in, play hard and work hard to try and get wins. This team can be a feature next year with some of the core guys.”
Humphries is in his sixth season, averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13 minutes per game. He went from a perennial NBA title contender in the Mavericks to the current laughingstock of the league.
“I think it’s going to be an adjustment. The Mavericks had a team where their core group of guys have played 10 years or more in the NBA, so it’s gonna be different,” he said.
In addition to what he brings on the court, Humphries can serve as a mentor to most of the younger players. Humphries has played on the Jazz, Raptors and Mavericks and has backed up Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, and Dirk Nowitzki.
The good news for the Nets: The Celtics (26-10) average just 39.2 rebounds per game.
* Harris, who missed the last game with a wrist injury, said he would be in the lineup tonight.