Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics 11-23-16
Time: Wednesday November 23, 2016, 7:30 PM ET
Venue: Barclay’s Center | Brooklyn, NY
TV: YES Network
Projected Starters:
Brooklyn: Isaiah Whitehead, Bojan Bogdanovic, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Trevor Booker, Brook Lopez
Boston: Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jaylen Brown, Amir Johnson, Al Horford
Absences:
Brooklyn: Jeremy Lin, Caris LeVert
Boston: Jae Crowder
The Brooklyn Nets have now lost four games in a row and sit at 4-9 on the season. Coming to town are the Boston Celtics for a divisional match-up tomorrow night. The Celtics, after winning two in a row, now stand at 8-6 on the season.
Brooklyn has yet another tough point guard match-up in Isaiah Thomas. Thomas has become a hot commodity around the league due to his height (5’9″) and his stellar play. This is now the fifth straight match the Nets will have no point guard against one of the league’s best at the position. Needless to say, Brooklyn has not fared too well as of yet.
Brooklyn really needs Jeremy Lin back. Brooklyn has gotten little to no production from Isaiah Whitehead or Sean Kilpatrick in the starting role. It is tempting to start Yogi Ferrell, but he barely has a week of good NBA action under his belt.
Brooklyn lost the first game of the season to the Celtics 122-117 after a brilliant fourth quarter surge by Brooklyn. That surge was led by Isaiah Whitehead and Chris McCullough and other bench players. Maybe, with Lin out, they can still work that magic against this Celtics team. It would be very nice to be able to go home for Thanksgiving and have a fresh win under your belt, especially a division victory.
Remember, Boston was up more than 20 when the Nets made their comeback, which is not reassuring. This will not be an easy game for Brooklyn to win by any stretch, but, due to that comeback, it is reasonable to fathom a Nets victory.
If they are to win, keep feeding the red hot Brook Lopez and ride the hot hand at point guard. Do not let Whitehead go 2/10 from the field when you have other players performing well. Do not force the issue, ride with the lineup that works and fights the most.