NBA

Look ahead to Nets-Sixers: Pierce gets night off

PHILADELPHIA — The Nets return to the court for their third preseason game of the year Monday night against the 76ers. Set to play three preseason games over the next four days – along with Tuesday versus Boston and Thursday versus Miami, both in Brooklyn — the Nets will pick and choose when to rest their main players. It is Paul Pierce’s turn at Wells Fargo Center.

Game info: 7 p.m. tip. The game will not be shown on television in New York, but will be in Philadelphia, so it may be available on NBA League Pass, if you have the service. The game will not be on the radio.

Last game: The Nets lost to the Pistons 99-88 Saturday night, dropping their preseason record to 1-1. While the starting unit again looked good on the offensive end, specifically with its ball movement, the Nets were destroyed on the boards by the quick, athletic frontline of the Pistons, including Andre Drummond (15 points and six rebounds) and Greg Monroe (12 points and six rebounds). The Pistons out-rebounded the Nets as a team 41-28 and threw down several easy dunks and alley-oops.

Andray Blatche led the Nets with 15 points, and Shaun Livingston had seven assists. The biggest issue to come out of the game was a sprained ankle for Tyshawn Taylor, leaving the Nets with just one healthy point guard in Livingston.

Injury report: Out: Williams (sprained right ankle), Taylor (sprained right ankle), Paul Pierce (scheduled rest day), Jason Terry (offseason left knee surgery), Tornike Shengelia (offseason left knee surgery), Andrei Kirilenko (back spasms), Jorge Gutierrez (sprained ankle).

Projected Starting Lineups

Nets: Shaun Livingston, Joe Johnson, Alan Anderson, Kevin Garnett, Brook Lopez

76ers: Michael Carter-Williams, James Anderson, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young, Spencer Hawes

On the 76ers: Philadelphia beat the Celtics 97-85 at the University of Delaware on Friday. Thaddeus Young finished with 20 points and six rebounds, while Spencer Hawes had 17 points and seven rebounds and Evan Turner had 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Key Matchup: Michael Carter-Williams vs. Shaun Livingston

There’s little doubt the Sixers will struggle this season, and they could challenge the all-time worst record in league history – already owned by the franchise – of 9-73. Part of the reason is the Sixers have completely entrusted their rookie point guard, Carter-Williams, with the primary ball-handler responsibilities.

He won’t be going up against Deron Williams, who is sitting out injured, but it will still be intriguing to see how he fares against a savvy, veteran guard such as Livingston – who at 6-foot-7 also matches his height, which is one true advantage the 6-foot-6 Carter-Williams will have over virtually every opponent.