The Celtics have struggled to contain strong offensive teams, and it doesn’t get tougher than the Brooklyn Nets. With new star Blake Griffin in the fold, we expect the Nets to get off to a hot start.
Pick:
Brooklyn Nets def. Boston Celtics ()
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How to Watch Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets
| Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets Information |
| What |
Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets |
| Where |
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY |
| When |
7:30 PM EST, March 11th, 2021 |
| How to Watch |
TNT |
Head-to-Head: Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets
| Boston Celtics |
Head-to-Head |
Brooklyn Nets |
| Brad Stevens |
Head Coach |
Steve Nash |
| 19-17 (4th in East) |
Standing |
24-13 (2nd in East) |
| W-W-W-W |
Form |
W-W-L-W |
| 113.6 (11th of 30) |
Off Rtg |
119.1 (1st of 30) |
| 112.7 (19th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
114.2 (26th of 30) |
| 98.0 (23rd of 30) |
Pace |
100.3 (10th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| J. Tatum (24.9) |
PPG |
K. Durant (29.0) |
| T. Thompson (8.3) |
RPG |
J. Harden (8.7) |
| M. Smart (6.1) |
APG |
J. Harden (11.4) |
| M. Smart (1.8) |
SPG |
J. Harden (1.3) |
| R. Williams (1.4) |
BPG |
D. Jordan (1.5) |
| R. Williams (.721)/J. Brown (9.2) |
FG%/FGM |
D. Jordan (.762)/K. Irving (10.3) |
| G. Williams (.433)/K. Walker (3.0) |
3P%/3PM |
J. Harris (.506)/J. Harris (3.4) |
Control the Paint
The Boston Celtics certainly aren’t what you’d call a big team. While they have bodies that like to fight in the paint, it tends to hurt their offensive flow if they go in that direction.
The Celtics are in the bottom half in field-goal percentage allowed, as well as in total rebounds and assists per game. Their reliance on their stars on both ends of the court has harmed their success.
If Brad Stevens can motivate his team to control the paint and discourage the Nets from attacking the rim, it’d help their case in winning this game. Too perimeter-oriented in their own attack, securing the defensive side is their route to victory.
Editor’s Picks
Which Role Players Will Force Their Way In?
The Brooklyn Nets are loaded with stars, but their role players have been just as impactful at times. With Griffin joining the lineup soon, expect Brooklyn’s role players to try and keep their place in the lineup.
Joe Harris, Bruce Brown, and Landry Shamet are the first names that come to mind. All backcourt or wing players, the three will be sharing time with whatever lineup permutation that Steve Nash comes up with.
The Celtics are a hard closing team on the perimeter, so their ability to nail available opportunities is their first priority. If they hope to maintain their minutes going forward, their efficiency will be watched carefully.
Celtics Key Player: (G) Marcus Smart
Only appearing in 17 games so far this season, Marcus Smart’s calf injury has been a huge factor in the Celtics’ lack of consistency. He’s expected to return in this matchup against the Nets, so it’s not like he’ll be eased back into shape.
Smart has always been a tremendous defensive player, but in his early-season play Smart has proven himself to be an impressive playmaker. By relieving Walker of playmaking duties, Smart has shown his versatility on both ends of the court.
If Marcus Smart can help the Celtics make strides in their offensive game, they might be right on track for the top of the Eastern Conference again.
Nets Key Player: (G) Kyrie Irving
The Brooklyn Nets only added to their All-Star cast of characters, but they’ll still be without Durant and Griffin when they face the Celtics. Faced against a relatively healthy Boston Celtics team, Irving will be looked to against his former team.
Kyrie Irving has been brilliant this season, averaging 27.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game on 51.0% shooting from the field. If there’s anywhere he can improve, Irving could do even more as a playmaker for the Nets.
With Griffin eventually joining the fold, Irving’s playmaking abilities will be more important than ever. While Harden has taken point guard duties as of late, the Nets’ minutes distribution is begging for him to be a pass-first player.
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