How we see it goin' down: Celtics vs Nets

Tip: 7:30PM Court: TD Garden Watch it: CSNNE Hear it: 98.5

Referees: Bennett Salvatore, Nick Buchert, Josh Tiven

Spread: BKN -2 O/U 191.0

The Matchup


Record: 0-0	Record: 0-0
At home: 0-0	On road: 0-0
Streak:	Streak:

Leaders	Leaders
Buckets: Jeff Green (16.9 ppg)	Buckets: Joe Johnson (15.8 ppg)
Boards: Jared Sullinger (8.1rpg)	Boards: Kevin Garnett (6.6 rpg)
Dimes: Rajon Rondo (9.8 apg)	Dimes: Deron Williams (6.1 apg)

For the Stat Geeks:	For the Stat Geeks:
Offensive Rating: 99.7 (14th NBA)	Offensive Rating: 104.4 (27th NBA)
Defensive Rating: 105.2 (20th NBA)	Defensive Rating: 104.9 (19th NBA)
Pace: 95.9 (15th NBA)	Pace: 93.7 (25th NBA)

Last time

Last Season the Celtics lost the season series to the Nets 3-1. The one game Boston won they committed 28 turnovers, but were lead by a dominating performance from Rajon Rondo who had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 4 steals. Boston forced Brooklyn to shoot 13% from deep (4/30), and out-rebounded the Nets 62-37.

This time

Get it to: Jared Sullinger. The Celtics Power Forward had big success versus Brooklyn in the two exhbition games, averaging 18 points and 18 rebounds. Obviously, we can’t expect such a dominating performance on a consistent basis, but with Brook Lopez ruled out for tonight’s game, Sullinger will be the most talented frontcourt player on the floor. Look for Boston to go to Sullinger early and often.

Gotta stop: Joe Johnson. His their leading scorer, and probably their best talent. The Celtics will throw different defenders at him throughout the course of the game such as Jeff Green, Evan Turner, and Brandon Bass. If Celtics are able to contain him it will be hard for Brooklyn to generate offense.

The Wild Card: Rajon Rondo. The Celtics get their best player on the court, and the momentum of the home crowd should carry the team to a victory. Even in limited action, expect Rondo to show flashes of his former self, and lift this team on the court and emotionally.