The Brooklyn Nets’ 112-11 loss to the Utah Jazz was tough. Rookie Isaiah Collier took matters into his own hands and had the play of his life, including the layup that would seal the deal for the Jazz. But don’t worry, Nets fans. Even though we lost, we didn’t REALLY lose. The “T” word is still in full effect and things have moved in a positive direction for Cooper Flagg or the boys down in Jersey with the loss. The Nets moved from the seventh-best chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the May 12 lottery to sixth.

Tonight is another important date for rebuilding the Nets tank. They face the Portland Trail Blazers, who are half a game behind the Nets in seventh place.

Where to see

Catch the action at 10:00 p.m. ET on YES Network and NBA League Pass.

Injuries

No Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Bojan Bogdanovic (recovering from left foot injury), Maxwell Lewis (left tibia fracture), DeAnthony Melton (left knee cruciate ligament tear) or Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain) for the Nets. Ben Simmons (lower back, left knee soreness), Cam Johnson (right ankle), D’Angelo Russell (right shin bruise) and Nic Claxton (right hamstring strain) are questionable.

Jerami Grant (face) and Matisse Thybulle (ankle) are out for the Trail Blazers. Robert Williams III and Deni Avdija are questionable. Williams could also be on the trading block.

The game

This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.

With both teams having similar records, the Trail Blazers have a ton of young talent that has the potential to take advantage of the Nets, especially if they continue to be shorthanded.

The explosive backcourt of Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe has been one of the few positive aspects of Portland’s season so far. Both average 18 points per game, Simons’ scoring ability and Sharpe’s elite athleticism make them a dynamic duo. The scoring that these two produce will be crucial in the game against Brooklyn, which has only averaged 103 PPG in its last 10 games.

If Brooklyn wants to get into the winning column, they just have to turn up the heat offensively. It’s obviously difficult for them without one of their key players, but with the players they have at their disposal, things can still go well.

It all depends on who is available. The four players in question provided the majority of the Nets’ offense. Otherwise, Tosan Evbuomwan, Tyrese Martin and Ziaire Williams will likely be the players who can provide goals from catch-and-shoot opportunities and off the bounce. With Portland allowing teams to shoot 47% from the field against them this season, hopefully scoring goals won’t be an issue before the game.

Player to keep an eye on

Two years ago, there were a number of Nets fans who thought the team would be best served if the Nets traded Mikal Bridges for the rights to the Trail Blazers pick, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, so they could take Scott Henderson Many thought he would become a transformative actor. It was, of course, one of many offers Sean Marks & Co. received for Bridges, all of which paled in comparison to what the Nets ultimately got from the team across the river.

How is Scoot? Not so good. A year and a half into his career, Henderson is experiencing a roller coaster ride from Blazers’ Edge writer Connor Bergin, citing his recent games.

During Portland’s 118-115 loss to the Detroit PistonsHenderson scored zero points (on 0-2 shooting), three assists and four turnovers in 19 minutes. He bounced back from that tough performance, putting up more respectable stats against New Orleans on Wednesday and playing arguably Portland’s best game 24 hours later against Dallas. In 26 minutes, Scoot scored 20 points and four assists while playing with an aggressiveness that helped him go 12-12 from the free throw line. Then Saturday’s rollercoaster ride took another significant downturn against Miami as he struggled to find his shot – he shot 1-6 from the field and 1-4 from the stripe – and finished with three points, three assists and two turnovers .

This season, the 20-year-old hasn’t improved from his rookie year, averaging 10.9 points and 5.0 assists on 40/30/77 shooting splits. His head coach Chauncey Billups isn’t worried. “That’s one of the most impressive things about Scoot,” Billups said recently. “When you’re around him every day, you never know if he’s playing well, if he’s struggling or if he’s under pressure. You never know anything. He always has this great smile and is always very positive.”

From the safe

Twenty years ago, the Nets and Blazers played one of the worst games in NBA history, a 64-60 Nets victory over the Blazers in the Meadowlands. The two teams combined for 44 field goals, the fewest in regular season history. Here are the, er, highlights.

It can’t be that bad tonight, can it?

Read more: Blazer’s Edge, SB Nation NBA