GT: Nets @ Celtics: 11/24, 730pm EST on ESPN
Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 3:23 pm
One of the next two games will be a loss for our Brooklyn Nets, at least. You may be surprised at which one is likelier.
Vegas opened at Boston -2.5, and according to ESPN, the betting line has moved all the way to Brooklyn -1.5. That's an enormous swing this far into the season, and indicates a couple of things. One, the coin-flip Cleveland games both going in our favor suggests that we will eek out tons of W's. Two, tons of bets are coming in for Brooklyn, so they had to rebalance to provide enough incentive on both sides. Interesting context for tonight's game, but it's not why we're here. Now, onto actual basketball...
Durant and Harden are still 2 of the 8 best players in the league. Boston's rookie had coach Ime Udoka has a keen eye for defense (and for the ladies), and since he was an assistant here last season, he'll know all of our superstars' tendencies. I would expect a very aggressive, physical, ball-hawking brand of D on Kevin, as he's prone to coughing up turnovers under pressure. Jaylen is strong enough to push him around, so I assume he'll be the primary assignment. Still, I think KD will get his typical, humdrum MVP numbers (we're so spoiled with his greatness). James on the other hand, could be in for a loooong and ugly night. Marcus Smart has had some of the best defensive performances of his career against our table-setter, and he'll be juiced for this matchup once again. The Celtics are most lethal when they can get easy transition buckets by overloading the opposing stars. Our 1-2 punch will need to make accurate passes, and our role players will then need to hit open shots.
I'm open to starting LMA, for several reasons. One, if we're going to have Patty with the 1st unit, it's best to start LaMarcus as well, and keep that 2-man game together as much as possible. They feed off of one another. Two, Aldridge has been playing very well on both ends. He's our best big this season so far, and he had the size and length to overwhelm Horford and Williams. Three, Blake needs a break. We can use his fire off the bench, and maybe he can get out of his shooting slump in a less exposed role.
538 has consistently projected this as a 68% chance for us to lose, and I agree. The Celtics have played better recently, and though we may have forgotten The Stomp Heard 'Round the World, I assure you, they have not. The Celtics and the city of Boston want this one bad. I don't want us as Nets fans to tear garments, wring hands and gNash teeth if we lose. We're in first place. We follow up this game with 2 days' rest before facing Phoenix at home. They're a team we match up with much better, and they'll be on 0 days rest after facing Duh Nix Friday night. I'm being practical, not defeatist. We can't win em all, but we can keep the faith in this team. GO NETS!
Vegas opened at Boston -2.5, and according to ESPN, the betting line has moved all the way to Brooklyn -1.5. That's an enormous swing this far into the season, and indicates a couple of things. One, the coin-flip Cleveland games both going in our favor suggests that we will eek out tons of W's. Two, tons of bets are coming in for Brooklyn, so they had to rebalance to provide enough incentive on both sides. Interesting context for tonight's game, but it's not why we're here. Now, onto actual basketball...
Durant and Harden are still 2 of the 8 best players in the league. Boston's rookie had coach Ime Udoka has a keen eye for defense (and for the ladies), and since he was an assistant here last season, he'll know all of our superstars' tendencies. I would expect a very aggressive, physical, ball-hawking brand of D on Kevin, as he's prone to coughing up turnovers under pressure. Jaylen is strong enough to push him around, so I assume he'll be the primary assignment. Still, I think KD will get his typical, humdrum MVP numbers (we're so spoiled with his greatness). James on the other hand, could be in for a loooong and ugly night. Marcus Smart has had some of the best defensive performances of his career against our table-setter, and he'll be juiced for this matchup once again. The Celtics are most lethal when they can get easy transition buckets by overloading the opposing stars. Our 1-2 punch will need to make accurate passes, and our role players will then need to hit open shots.
I'm open to starting LMA, for several reasons. One, if we're going to have Patty with the 1st unit, it's best to start LaMarcus as well, and keep that 2-man game together as much as possible. They feed off of one another. Two, Aldridge has been playing very well on both ends. He's our best big this season so far, and he had the size and length to overwhelm Horford and Williams. Three, Blake needs a break. We can use his fire off the bench, and maybe he can get out of his shooting slump in a less exposed role.
538 has consistently projected this as a 68% chance for us to lose, and I agree. The Celtics have played better recently, and though we may have forgotten The Stomp Heard 'Round the World, I assure you, they have not. The Celtics and the city of Boston want this one bad. I don't want us as Nets fans to tear garments, wring hands and gNash teeth if we lose. We're in first place. We follow up this game with 2 days' rest before facing Phoenix at home. They're a team we match up with much better, and they'll be on 0 days rest after facing Duh Nix Friday night. I'm being practical, not defeatist. We can't win em all, but we can keep the faith in this team. GO NETS!
