NBA Game of the Week: Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets
This game could easily be a playoff preview, as the Brooklyn Nets, hottest team in basketball host the reigning Kings of the Eastern Conference, the Boston Celtics on Jan. 12.
These two titans in the East are battling for the top of the standings - the Nets are just 1.5 games behind the Celtics who are first in the conference.
Both the Nets and the Celtics are led by extremely talented players off the wing - superstar veteran Kevin Durant and young phenom Jayson Tatum. However, the Nets will be without Durant’s services for the next two weeks.
It’s easy to imagine that the C’s will just run away with this contest, but don’t expect that to be the case.
The case for the Celtics is definitely easy to make. The second highest scoring offense in the
league is led by Tatum’s 30.8 points a night, good for the 5th highest points per game in the league.
Their scoring differential of +5.8 is not only the highest in the league, but nearly a whole point greater than that of the second place Grizzlies.
However, this offensive force of a squad has not been playing up to their high standards as of late. Following their electric 18-4 start, the Celtics have only gone 8-7 in their last 15. This is still a solid record, but not quite what is expected of this team.
The Nets are the opposite side of the coin from the Celtics. The Nets are 14-1 in their last 15 games, and look unstoppable on defense since interim head coach Jacques Vaughn took the helm from Steve Nash.
Vaughn has turned one of the worst defenses in basketball to the number five team in points allowed, made Ben Simmons back into ‘Rookie of the Year’ form, and has Nic Claxton leading the league in blocks per game.
The reason to worry about the Nets chances in this game is the offense. Kevin Durant is aging his game like fine wine - less reliant on playing in the wings and killing teams with his height and burst, to using his lethal jumpshot from whatever spot he pleases.
The Nets can very easily still - Kyrie Irving looks fantastic, outside shooting from Seth Curry, Joe Harris and Yuta Watanabe provide required attention from defenses, while Royce O’Neal, Simmons and Claxton bully the inside.
However, the engine of the offense is undoubtedly Durant. His services will surely be missed, especially considering Robert Williams III and Marcus Smart are both day-to-day, and might be able to play in Brooklyn.
The other clear advantage that the Celtics have is the head-to-head record. The Celtics handled the Nets 103-92, which is the loss that kicked off their huge last 15 games. The Nets leading scorer that game? Durant.
No matter the outcome of this game, two of the best teams in basketball are matching up, and I recommend tuning in.
Nolan Collery is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email njc5848@psu.edu.
