Movie Studios Turn to Athletes to Create a Buzz

Photo The Nets' Brook Lopez, left, and Markel Brown watched an early screening of “The Night Before” in Sacramento. Credit Peter DaSilva for The New York Times On a brisk night last week, a group of Nets players and team staff members walked seven blocks from their hotel in downtown Sacramento to a multiplex on the second floor of a sleepy shopping mall.

Setting aside their Icees and popcorn, Brook Lopez and Markel Brown played around with a Time Crisis 4 arcade machine. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson entered the theater and slouched into an aisle seat, so he could stretch out his legs. Willie Reed stuffed snacks from the concession stand into each of his pockets: Sour Punch Straws, Starbursts, hot…