GOLD, NETS SET FOR REMATCH AT NASSAU COLISEUM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Long Island Nets look to solidify their playoff positioning and complete a regular-season sweep when they host the struggling Grand Rapids Gold in a G League matchup on Thursday, Feb. 26, at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

The Nets (21-17) enter with a four-game lead in the standings over the Gold (17-20) and won the previous meeting this season, 115-107, on Feb. 2. Long Island has won four of its last six games, most recently falling 104-102 at Birmingham on Feb. 20. Center Grant Nelson posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in that contest and has been a consistent force, averaging 13.6 points and 7.4 rebounds over his last eight appearances.

Grand Rapids arrives mired in a slump, having lost seven of its last eight games. The Gold are coming off a 109-97 home loss to Osceola on Monday. Despite the team’s struggles, guard Dane Goodwin has been a standout performer, averaging 22.3 points and 6.3 rebounds over his last 10 games. He is coming off a 24-point, 10-rebound effort in the loss to Osceola and scored 36 points in a narrow loss at Westchester on Feb. 19.

The Nets’ recent success has been fueled by balanced scoring and defense, holding opponents under 110 points in three of their last five wins. They will aim to contain Goodwin and exploit a Grand Rapids defense that has allowed an average of 119.6 points during its 1-7 skid.

For the Gold, reversing their fortunes will require finding secondary scoring behind Goodwin and improving defensive communication after a stretch of close losses. The back-to-back meetings with Long Island and Delaware this weekend present a critical juncture for their season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The Nets continue a brief homestand against Westchester on Sunday, while the Gold travel to face Delaware on Saturday.