© Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
GAME PREVIEW AND INJURY REPORT: Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics
The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics are playing a back-to-back against each other, with both teams playing a home game. The first matchup is at the Barclays Center, and the Nets can get a boost from the home crowd against the league’s best team.
It will be a tough matchup for the Nets, as the Celtics are miles ahead of any team in the league with a 41-12 record. Brooklyn lost to Boston twice in November, but this is the chance to get their payback.
Boston is the best team in the league
The Nets are in for a challenging game because the Celtics are dominant. Coach Joe Mazzulla has a stacked team spearheaded by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. At the same time, the supporting cast is one of the best in the league because they have All-Star-caliber players like Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis.
While the Latvian might not play due to an injury, the Celtics still have the reliable Al Horford to hold the frontcourt down. There is limited depth in the frontcourt at the moment for Boston, which could be an area that the Nets can take advantage of with Nic Claxton’s recent strides with his offensive play and a returning Day’Ron Sharpe.
Brooklyn has good momentum heading into this game after an impressive victory over the Spurs in the previous game. Dennis Schroder felt comfortable being a primary playmaker off the bench, boosting Coach Jacque Vaughn's team's ball movement-centric offense.
Apart from Schroder’s standout performance against the Spurs, Nets fans expect Cameron Thomas and Mikal Bridges to continue their hot shooting. Brooklyn can win this game as long as they can keep hitting shots.
Injury report
The Nets are getting healthier with every game, as only Cameron Johnson is on the injury report. Day’Ron Sharpe and Dorian Finney-Smith have fully recovered, which boosts the Nets’ depth. It will be interesting how Coach Vaughn switches up the starting lineup because he looks committed to starting Thomas nowadays.
Boston is dealing with some injuries as Jaden Springer and recent acquisition Xavier Tillman are out for this game. Porzingis is questionable for this game because of a lower back contusion.
It will be a fun game for both teams, but Boston is the favorite. However, the Nets are on the upswing due to impressive performances in almost every game.
