GT: Nets @ Celtics: 11/24, 730pm EST on ESPN

ecuhus1981 · Post #1 » by **ecuhus1981** » 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!

Hello Brooklyn · Post #2 » by **Hello Brooklyn** » Wed Nov 24, 2021 6:34 pm

Important for us to beat the Celtics.

I'm looking for Aldridge to start and for Carter's minutes to be replaced by Cam Thomas. Will need a big game from KD. Hopefully hes back to normal.

MrDollarBills · Post #3 » by **MrDollarBills** » Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:19 pm

Hello Brooklyn wrote:Important for us to beat the Celtics.

I'm looking for Aldridge to start and for Carter's minutes to be replaced by Cam Thomas. Will need a big game from KD. Hopefully hes back to normal.

If we didn't have multiple guys out i would agree, but I don't like idea of playing Blake and Milsap together in the 2nd unit.

ducler · Post #4 » by **ducler** » Wed Nov 24, 2021 7:58 pm

Read on Twitter

NetsWorld · Post #5 » by **NetsWorld** » Wed Nov 24, 2021 8:24 pm

Important game tonight, if we can go 14-5 and then defeat the Suns (a tough game), and go 15-5, it will be a huge confidence builder and momentum swing heading into December. I expect a Marks to make moves to improve the team, potentially a Rasheed Wallace to Detroit 2004 type move. Like I said, if we don't win it this year with this group, they won't win again with this group moving forward.

Stone · Post #6 » by **Stone** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:53 am

Patty is lighting up the Celtics like a Christmas tree

MrDollarBills · Post #7 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:04 am

Cam is the first guard off the bench.

Stone · Post #8 » by **Stone** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:08 am

The Celtics crowd is rowdy tonight.

Milsap. And Johnson in before Blake

MrDollarBills · Post #9 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:11 am

Take a shot every time Cam scores

sashaturiaf · Post #10 » by **sashaturiaf** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:18 am

Best first quarter of the season for mine.

Bembry and Aldridge makes a big difference out there. We just look and feel solid

It does leave our bench quite weak, but it's nice not having to fall into a hole from the start of the game

Sharcm1 · Post #11 » by **Sharcm1** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:19 am

Is Blake not playing tonight?

Post #12 » by **CalamityX12** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:21 am

Mills > Shamet as a shooter

sashaturiaf · Post #13 » by **sashaturiaf** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:23 am

CalamityX12 wrote:Mills > Shamet as a shooter

Easily. Shamet was not reliable for a renowned shooter. I don't like what we got for Shamet but i also don't want to pay $10m for Shamets inconsistent play.

Could Shamet lead the Olympics in scoring if he had his own team? No chance

We should have just kept Saddiq Bey. Rare Marks miscue there

MrDollarBills · Post #14 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:26 am

Stone wrote:The Celtics crowd is rowdy tonight.

Milsap. And Johnson in before Blake

Thanksgiving Eve, you know people are lit up tonight :lol:

MrDollarBills · Post #15 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:27 am

Sharcm1 wrote:Is Blake not playing tonight?

I think Nash likes what Johnson gives us at backup C.

This unit has allowed for Durant to get some good rest

MrDollarBills · Post #16 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:30 am

sashaturiaf wrote:Best first quarter of the season for mine.

Bembry and Aldridge makes a big difference out there. We just look and feel solid

It does leave our bench quite weak, but it's nice not having to fall into a hole from the start of the game

Getting Harris, Brown, and Claxton back will help. I personally like Bembry with the starters.

NetsWorld · Post #17 » by **NetsWorld** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:30 am

Kanter staring at us like he is some hot ****. I really hope he gets punched in the face.

3pt_chucker · Post #18 » by **3pt_chucker** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:31 am

I've been hyper critical of the Nash but he's coached a good game so far.

sashaturiaf · Post #19 » by **sashaturiaf** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:38 am

MrDollarBills wrote:
sashaturiaf wrote:Best first quarter of the season for mine.

Bembry and Aldridge makes a big difference out there. We just look and feel solid

It does leave our bench quite weak, but it's nice not having to fall into a hole from the start of the game

Getting Harris, Brown, and Claxton back will help. I personally like Bembry with the starters.

2 for 1 trade may be coming. We have way too many playable guys to get them all minutes, but then we can also use an upgrade at a few positions.

MrDollarBills · Post #20 » by **MrDollarBills** » Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:45 am

KD35Netted wrote:Kanter staring at us like he is some hot ****. I really hope he gets punched in the face.

He was talking sh*t about Joe Tsai on Twitter earlier. Kanter is on a rampage about the Chinese government