Game 23 Preview: Celtics at Nets

Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will be seeing green
from the other side for the first time tonight.

It's that time of year! You know, that special time of year where families get together and spend quality time with each other.

For some, that might be known as the holiday season. For the Boston Celtics (10-12), that's known as reunion week.

Tonight, the Celtics will play the first of a back-to-back against some old friends. On tap for tonight: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Jason Terry, and the rest of the Brooklyn Nets (6-14).

Of all the teams in the NBA, the Nets have been the most disappointing. They rank near the bottom in many of the major team statistics: 23rd in points, 23rd in rebounds, 24th in assists, and 26th in points allowed. Many of their star players (Pierce, Brook Lopez, and Deron Williams) have missed time due to various ailments. A total lack of chemistry, combined with the catastrophe that is Jason Kidd's head coaching abilities, have led the Nets down the wrong road.

For the Nets, Williams has missed the last nine games with a nagging left ankle injury, but he will play tonight. As for Pierce, he told reporters at yesterday's practice that there's a "good chance" he would play tonight. However, he is listed as doubtful. Jason Terry and Andrei Kirilenko are also out.

For the Celtics, Kelly Olynyk will not play, as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain.

Projected lineups:

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger

Nets:
Deron Williams
Joe Johnson
Paul Pierce
Kevin Garnett
Brook Lopez


Keys to the game:

1. Sully vs. Brook: This is the most important matchup of the night. Over the past few weeks, Jared Sullinger has really come into his own. He is coming a player that the Celtics can build around. With that said, he's doing a hell of a job right now. Over his last ten games, Sullinger is averaging 14.9 points on 47% shooting and 8.2 rebounds. He'll have his hands full with Brook Lopez tonight. Lopez is one of the most underrated players in all of basketball. Lopez, easily Brooklyn's best player thus far, averages 23.8 points on 63% shooting and 7.2 rebounds in their six wins, while his numbers drop to 18.6 points, 52% shooting, and 5.5 rebounds. Lopez needs to be contained if the Celtics want to complete the New York sweep.

2. Right from the start: During their three-game winning streak, the Celtics have more than doubled up their opponents in the first quarter and have outscored the three teams, 101-49. The C's need that kind of hot start once again to propel them to victory.