January 5, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Andray Blatche (0) drives the lane with defense from Sacramento Kings forward Travis Outlaw (25) and forward John Salmons (5) and center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the fourth quarter of an NBA game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Sacramento Kings 113-93 behind an outstanding shooting and offensive rebounding performance. Even though Brooklyn was one night removed from a tiring double overtime victory over the Washington Wizards, their starters played well in limited minutes and the bench shined. Mirza Teletovic had his best game as a Net and MarShon Brooks broke out with a few dazzling moves and jump shots, collecting 15 points.

The Nets had their best scoring output through two quarters this season, with 65. They led 36-31 at the end of a ridiculously high scoring first quarter in which Brooklyn had a lot of good, easy looks at the basket. Their offense was also effective in the second quarter, but they certainly got lucky on a few shot-clock beating shots.

Brooklyn’s “bench mob” had its best game since the Nets’ incredible November. When the Nets were winning reliably, the bench usually provided a big boost in second quarters. During the team’s struggles in December, the bench was usually ineffective especially when Andray Blatche was moved into a starting role to fill in for injured Brook Lopez.

For the Kings, DeMarcus Cousins had another great game, posting 28 points and 11 rebounds. Travis Outlaw was mildly booed in his first visit to the Nets’ arena after being amnestied by the team this off-season. The Kings are a very bad team defensively and the Nets took full advantage.

For a game box score, click here.

Player grades and notes

Deron Williams: A-

Williams probably would have flirted with a triple double tonight had there not been so much fourth quarter garbage time. He had 15 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Deron’s defense was fine as the Kings’ point guards had unspectacular games.

Joe Johnson: B+

Johnson did not shoot that well (6-14), but finished with 15 points, 4 assists, and a team high +17.

Gerald Wallace: B

Wallace had an incredible chase down block and a contested shot-clock beating three, but did not do much else.

Reggie Evans: B+

Evans had an impressive 12 rebounds and 7 points, but struggled defensively early on against Jason Thompson.

Brook Lopez: A

In just 16:26 of playing time, Lopez had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He probably would have played for longer had he not played so much against Washington last night.

Andray Blatche/MarShon Brooks/Mirza Teletovic: A

The bench provided a spark tonight.

In context

The Nets continue to beat sub-par teams, now with a 12-0 record against teams with a record below .500. They have won 5 of their last 6 games and will have a chance to keep the wins coming next week. They play the 76ers on Tuesday and the Suns on Friday, both sub-.500 teams.

DeMarcus Cousins and Brook Lopez

One night after Joe Johnson saved the Brooklyn Nets (18-15) with a buzzer-beater in double overtime in Washington, the Nets return home to face another bad team, the Sacramento Kings (13-20). Since P.J. Carlesimo has taken over for Avery Johnson, the Nets have a 4-1 record and have won two straight road games against Oklahoma City and Washington. The Kings have also been playing much better recently. Despite starting the season at 1-13 on the road, Sacramento has won its last two road games in Detroit and Toronto and has won 6 out of their last 10 overall. Don’t expect this game to be a cakewalk for Brooklyn.

These two teams have already played this season in Sacramento and the Nets will be going for the season sweep in this game. In the first matchup, the Nets were led by Andray Blatche, who scored 22 points on 11/12 shooting off the bench. However, the Nets had no answer for DeMarcus Cousins, who scored 29 points. Neither Blatche nor Brook Lopez was able to slow him down and he may have another big game tonight.

The Kings have been playing much better recently, mainly because of their shooting and offense. In their recent hot streak, Sacramento is in the top 10 in the NBA in field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and free throw percentage. They have also won their last 5 games when scoring 100 points. The Nets’ defense looked very shaky in Washington last night and Sacramento may be able to score a lot in this game.

Injuries: For Brooklyn, Kris Humphries and C.J. Watson are game-time decisions. Watson has missed two straight games and Humphries didn’t play last night. Also, Jerry Stackhouse may get the night off after playing last night. Sacramento will be without Marcus Thornton, who has a sprained ankle. Tyreke Evans is also out with a sore knee.

Key matchups:

Deron Williams vs. Isaiah Thomas. Advantage: Williams

Isaiah Thomas has recently return to the starting lineup for Sacramento and has been playing better since then. For the season, he is averaging 11 ppg and 3 apg, which are not great numbers for a starting point guard. He is only 5’9, so expect to see a lot of post-ups from the 6’3 Deron Williams tonight. Deron is coming off of a double-double and has played much better his last two games. Against smaller competition in Thomas and Aaron Brooks, expect another good game from Deron.

Joe Johnson vs. Francisco Garcia. Advantage: Johnson

Francisco Garcia has never been a great player but is now starting in place of Tyreke Evans. For the season he is only averaging 6 ppg and 1.5 rpg and will not make much of an impact in the game. The Kings don’t really have a player who can defend Joe Johnson and he should be able to score at will tonight.

Gerald Wallace vs. John Salmons. Advantage: Wallace

Salmons is a former 20 ppg scorer, but is definitely in the second half of his career. This season he is only averaging 9 ppg, 3 rpg, and 3 apg. Gerald Wallace has not made much of an impact offensively in quite a few games. He needs a breakout game.

Reggie Evans vs. Jason Thompson. Advantage: Thompson

Reggie Evans has struggled on defense in recent games and that may continue tonight. Jason Thompson is averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds this year and is averaging about 17 ppg in his last 4 games. He is also 6’11 and will have a height advantage over Reggie. Expect to see more of the Blatche-Lopez lineup tonight because the Kings are a pretty big team.

Brook Lopez vs. DeMarcus Cousins. Advantage: Cousins

This will be by far the most important matchup in this game. These two players may be the two best centers in the NBA. We all know what Lopez has done in the P.J. Carlesimo era. He continued that last night with 27 points and 13 rebounds. However, Cousins may even be playing better than Lopez. Even though he was suspended on three separate occasions this year, Cousins has put up incredible numbers in the five games since his last suspension. In that time, he has recorded double-doubles in every game, including one triple-double, culminating with last night’s 31 point-20 rebound performance in Toronto. Lopez had trouble guarding Emeka Okafor and Nene last night, so he may really struggle tonight. The key for Brook will be drawing fouls against Cousins or getting him frustrated. If Lopez can get Cousins into foul trouble, the Nets will be in a good position to win this game.

Prediction: Kings 101, Nets 98. 

I did not like how the Nets played last night and after a double-overtime game, it is difficult to come back and give a full effort the next night. Brook Lopez played too many minutes last night and will probably be tired tonight, but DeMarcus Cousins will not care. I would not be surprised if Cousins scored 40 tonight. The Kings have been playing well on the road lately and I think they will find a way to win this game.