Nets at Celtics
THE STORY: The Boston Celtics have climbed their way back up to .500 by defeating the two teams chasing them for the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference. Now that they have a little cushion, the Celtics’ next challenge is moving up the ladder. Boston has been playing Kevin Garnett at center, where he will have to battle with Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries when the New Jersey Nets visit on Friday. Lopez, Humphries and Deron Williams were out the last time the Nets visited TD Garden, an 89-70 Celtics win on Jan. 4.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, YES (New Jersey), CSNE (Boston)
ABOUT THE NETS (11-25): Lopez missed 33 games with a broken foot but looked fully recovered at Dallas on Tuesday, pouring in 38 points in a 93-92 victory. Lopez’s breakout game marked the third straight road victory for New Jersey, which is 8-12 on the road against 3-13 at home. Overall, the Nets have traded wins and losses over the last five games. New Jersey was led by rookie Marshon Brooks in its first visit to Boston. The Providence product scored 17 points, but the Nets struggled to their lowest point total of the season.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (17-17): Boston has been the subject of several trade stories in recent days, with coach Doc Rivers and general manager Danny Ainge having to come out on Thursday and declare that the team is not actively shopping point guard Rajon Rondo. The All-Star had no trouble playing through the rumors on Wednesday as he recorded his third triple-double of the season in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Celtics, who had dropped five straight leading into the All-Star break, have looked more efficient on both ends in the last two games with Garnett at center and Chris Wilcox and Brandon Bass taking turns at the power forward spot.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Boston has taken eight of the last 10 in the series.
2. Garnett has scored 18 or more points in four straight games for the first time since April 2008.
3. The Nets recently signed former Celtic Gerald Green to a 10-day contract.