Joe Johnson returns to Brooklyn for first time since joining the Miami Heat

Game preview: Miami Heat vs Brooklyn Nets

Heat (42-30) vs Nets (21-51)
Where: Miami
When: Monday, March 28, 7:30 pm ET
Watch: FS-SUN, NBA League Pass

For the first time since the Nets bought him out, Joe Johnson will play his former team when the Miami Heat host Brooklyn Monday.

Johnson the Nets parted ways after the NBA trade deadline in February, and Johnson told the Miami Herald that South Florida has always been an interesting location for him.

"“I always felt it was the best place for me,” Johnson said. “But there were so many options that kept coming and coming and coming, I was like, ‘Damn’ … You know what I mean? And in the deal, I lose three million, and I got a team offering me five, and I got a team offering me three to make up for the three that I lost. Is it that important? What’s more important? There were things I needed to evaluate … and really, it was like, ‘Man, make the decision.’ ”"

Johnson made his decision and signed with Miami, and has been open about his wanting to stay with the Heat when he’s a free agent this summer. The returns on Johnson so far have been swell, despite a recent three-game skid for the veteran scorer.

He’s fit in nicely, and in facing the Nets for this first time since joining the Heat he’ll be reminded of how good a decision it was. You know, as long as they get the win.

Matchup to watch: Hassan Whiteside vs Brook Lopez

Brook Lopez is easily Brooklyn’s best player, and basically the only chance they have at winning on a game-to-game basis. Hassan Whiteside won’t start, but he’ll likely finish the game against him. Whiteside has been nothing short of one of the best centers in the league this season, but Lopez is a veteran scorer. Like we saw when Whiteside faced Tim Duncan, veteran savvy can sometimes get the best of the young Heat center.

X-Factor: Joe Johnson

Unlike when Joe Johnson was on the Nets earlier this season, his team now doesn’t ride or die with him having a good game. The Heat have gotten away with Johnson being a little off the last three games. He hasn’t scored more than eight points since March 19, and has made just one 3-pointer in that time.

Johnson and the Nets came to a “mutual agreement” to part ways when he bought out, but one suspects that Johnson may have some motivation to find his rhythm.

Key stats:

Miami Heat offensive efficiency: 13th, 103.7 points per 100 possessions
Miami Heat defensive efficiency: 6th, 101.3 points allowed per 100 possessions

Brooklyn Nets offensive efficiency: 27th, 101.4 points per 100 possessions
Brooklyn Nets defensive efficiency: 28th, 107.4 points allowed per 100 possessions