Game 78 Preview: Nets at Celtics

Brook Lopez has always been a tough matchup for Kevin Garnett.

77 down, 5 to go. 

The Celtics (40-37) get back to work tonight as they take on the Brooklyn Nets (45-32).

Boston wakes up this morning with a three game advantage over the Milwaukee Bucks for the seventh seed after Milwaukee's 94-83 loss last night to the Miami Heat. Boston also wakes up losers of the Atlantic Division for the first time since 2007 after the New York Knicks clinched their first division title last night since 1994. I'm sure Doc Rivers and company are heartbroken.

Anyway, the Nets come into tonight's action winners of three of their last four games after last night's 104-83 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Deron Williams's turnaround has been a major factor in Brooklyn's second half success. After a slow start, Williams has come on of late, averaging 22.4 points, and 7.6 assists while shooting 49% from the field in his last 19 games. 

With a rested Kevin Garnett and a rejuvenated Paul Pierce, the Celtics should be ready to go.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Nets:
Deron Williams
Joe Johnson
Gerald Wallace
Reggie Evans
Brook Lopez

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett

Keys to the game:

1. Getting the "D": Brooklyn's defense is very good. Since March 1 -- a span of 19 games -- the Nets have allowed their opponents to score 100 points only six times. Brooklyn is giving up only 94.8 points per game, good for fifth best in the NBA. What's interesting is Brooklyn scores 96.5 points a game while the Celtics allow an average of 96.4 points per game -- if I were to make a guess, I'd say the outcome will be close and hover around the mid-90s. With that in mind, Boston must be crisp. After a short break and some practice time, they must come out sharp and prepared to play against a very good basketball team.

2. A BIG problem: Just because Kris Humphries may not play does not mean the Celtics will have it easy on the boards. Reggie Evans has picked up his teammate and then some. Evans has grabbed at least 16 rebounds in 11 of his last 17 games. Last night against the Sixers, he grabbed 17 rebounds...in the first half. Not to mention the Nets have averaged 15.3 offensive boards in three games against the Celtics. They've absolutely torched the Celtics on the glass. With the Celtics bigger lineup and with the emergence of Chris Wilcox and Shavlik Randolph, the Celtics should be better prepared to battle with Brooklyn's bigs.