High-scoring performances should again be on the horizon, as Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker are sharing the floor. This has a chance to be the most exciting match-up in Monday’s eight-game schedule.

From one scorer to another

The 4-4 Brooklyn Nets are looking to go above .500. They just eked a out win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, 119-115, and survived a virtuoso performance from Damian Lillard, who dropped a career-high 60 points. Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie led the way for the Nets, scoring 33 and 34, respectively.

The Nets will again be tasked to stop – or survive – a possible wave of buckets, as they will have their hands full against Devin Booker. It’s been evident that the defense is terrible at containing opponents. Before Lillard’s 60, they gave up 40 to Brandon Ingram, 36 to James Harden, 36 to Karl Anthony-Towns, and also allowed four Indiana Pacers to score 20 or more.

Brooklyn, currently second in the league in scoring at 120.7 PPG, relies on its offense to make up for all the defensive inefficiency, especially now that one of its interior defenders, DeAndre Jordan, is day-to-day with an ankle injury. Irving (31.8 PPG), Dinwiddie (18.8 PPG), and Caris LeVert (17.8 PPG) will remain as the catalysts for the attack.

Looking to maintain the composure

The 5-3 Phoenix Suns are trying to bounce back from a 124-108 loss to the Miami Heat this past Friday, where the defense got punctured by Jimmy Butler for 34 points, 30 of which came in the first half.

Hopes are still high for the Suns, though. The massive upset over the LA Clippers weeks back is etched from everyone’s memory, especially since they are continuously being solid without DeAndre Ayton (suspended).

With Ayton out, Devin Booker is growing as a scorer and leader and Kelly Oubre (17.1 PPG) is staying as a serious candidate for the Most Improved Player of the Year plum.

Expect Booker, who’s posting 25.6 points and five assists per game on a career-high 52.9%-shooting, to test the Nets’ suspect defense early. Don’t forget Ricky Rubio too (12.4 PPG, 8.1 APG). The eight-year is an experienced playmaker that can break opponents down with his great court vision.

PREDICTION:

The Nets win their third straight game, but considering how they let scorers be scorers, we can expect Booker to have a big night with a lot of buckets.