BOSTONThere's no such thing as a sure win in the NBA, but Boston-New Jersey games in recent years comes pretty darn close. Since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined the Green Team in 2007, Boston has won 15 of their 17 games against the Nets which includes an 89-70 win on Jan. 4. The C's have fared well against most teams during the Big Three era, but no team has been dominated during that span by the Celtics as much as the Nets. But this is a different season, the C's are a different team and so are the Nets - especially on the road.
New Jersey only has 11 wins this season, but eight have come on the road compared to a home mark of 3-13. In addition, New Jersey has won three in a row on the road, and will be shooting for their first four-game road winning streak since Nov.-Dec., 2008.
Here's a quick look at some of the factors that are likely to come into play as the Boston Celtics try and extend their winning streak to three in a row tonight against the one team in recent years that they've had little trouble defeating, the New Jersey Nets.
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WHAT TO LOOK FOR - One of the big reasons for New Jersey's struggles this year has been because they have played most of the year without their big man, Brooke Lopez. The 7-foot center, previously out with a broken foot, has steadily improved in the three games since returning to the Nets lineup. His scoring and rebounding have both increased from one game to the next. He comes into tonight's game coming off a 38-point effort in New Jersey's 93-92 win at Dallas. Kevin Garnett has done a good job at the center position for Boston, but Lopez presents a much greater challenge because of his ability to score around the basket - something most of the centers Garnett has matched up with lately, can't do nearly as well as Lopez.
MATCHUP TO WATCH - Rajon Rondo vs Deron Williams: It's a team game, but there's no way of ignoring the fact that two of the NBA's elite point guards will square off against one another. As much as the C's need Rondo to facilitate the offense and occasionally get a basket, they'll need him to step his game up defensively tonight. In Williams, Rondo's facing arguably the most complete point guard in the NBA. Williams has size (6-3, 209), speed, court vision and a better-than-average perimeter game. Whichever of these two that plays better, will go far in determining tonight's winner.
PLAYER TO WATCH - Former Celtic Gerald Green is back in the NBA following an MVP effort in the D-League all-star game during all-star weekend. In his first game with the New Jersey Nets, Green came off the bench to score 10 points. It was his first NBA game since April 8, 2009, when he played with the Dallas Mavericks. The former slam dunk champion spent his first two NBA seasons with the Celtics after they selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NBA draft.
STAT TO TRACK - Defending the 3-point shot will be vital for Boston to win tonight. Despite their struggles this year, the Nets rank second in the NBA in 3-pointers made (8.8) and 3-pointers taken (24.8). Meanwhile, the C's have been among the league's leaders in their defense of the 3-ball. Boston ranks second in opponent 3-pointers made per game (4.8), and are fourth in opponent 3-pointers attempted (16) per game.