Let\u2019s try something new. We\u2019re just going to pretend that the last game didn\u2019t exist. We never played the Knicks two nights ago. We are on a clean slate right now. Everything is okay, guys!<\/p>\n
Tonight, Brooklyn will be taking on Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics as the Nets will look to get back in the winning column after losing three straight (I mean two straight, wink wink.) Brown\u2019s career year has propelled Boston to be the second best team in the Eastern Conference, even though they haven\u2019t had Jayson Tatum all season. If the Nets ever needed a victory that to change the energy for the entire team, it would be this one.<\/p>\n
Check out the action at 7:30 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.<\/p>\n
The G-League guys \u2014 Ben Saraf, Tyson Etienne, E.J. Liddell, and Chaney Johnson \u2014 will all be on Long Island duties. Haywood Highsmith is out as well. Highsmith, still recovering from his off-season knee surgery, was expected to be trade piece at the deadline, but with less than two weeks left, that seems uncertain.<\/p>\n
For the C\u2019s, Jayson Tatum continues to be on the bench due to his achilles surgery, but it looks like he ciykd possibly return soon, which would be huge of the Beantown title hopes\u2026<\/p>\n
Derrick White will rest this one out, which is a blessing for him. Out of the 43 games the Celtics have played, he has only missed one while leading the team in minutes. Josh Minott (left ankle sprain) will sit as well.<\/p>\n
This is the third game between the Atlantic Division rivals. Back in November, the teams split two games. The Celtics won the first contest<\/a> on November 18 at TD Garden, then it was the Nets turn three day<\/a>s later at Barclays.<\/p>\n During the approach of the start of the season, it had seemed that the Celtics had finally ended their reign of terror in the East. Aside from Tatum, giving up their championship pieces in Jrue Holliday and Kristaps Porzingis was seen as a sign that their dominance had come to an end, calming many between Toronto and Miami. Fast forward to this week and you wonder how anyone could have thought that. After all, they are the Celtics. But it\u2019s not just the greenies history. Jaylen Brown, the highest paid player in the NBA (ever) has made the transition to legitimate superstar.<\/p>\n Through the season, Brown is averaging 29.8 points on 48.8 % from the field. In the last three games, Brown is averaging 34.3 and nine. Not to mention his leadership. After long being looked at as a second option, Brown is proving that he has the skillset and mindset to lead a team of his own. Other members of the Celtics have been making big leaps as well. Derrick White is still one of the best two-way players in the game, Payton Pritchard has emerged as a starting point guard, and Luka Garza, the former Iowa superstar, is contributing well as a stretch five. He\u2019s currently shooting 47.1 % from the 3-point line. If he had enough shot attempts, he\u2019d qualify as the NBA\u2019s second best from beyond the arc. Who knew? Apparently Brad Stevens did.<\/p>\n If the Nets have a chance in this one, it all starts with MPJ and his shooting struggles as of late. Even though he did say to the media that he has been dealing with an MCL sprain, it matters how he can continue to play through it, since he is choosing too. And even though he is only a rookie, Egor has to be better as well. We were riding high when things were going good for him. Now it is time for him to value consistency in his play.<\/p>\n Player To Watch: Payton Pritchard<\/p>\n Pritchard is making the most of his first year as the starting point guard for the Celtics. He is averaging a career high 16.5 points along with 5.4 assists, also tops in his career. Even though he is shooting a career worst 33.7% from downtown, you still have to get up on him as soon as he crosses half court. Where he is most efficient, though, is on isolation situations, where Egor Demin and\/or Cam Thomas will have to pay attention to him\u2026.<\/p>\n