Celtics Vs. Nets Preview 2/4/10 | North Station Sports

Celtics Vs. Nets Preview
February 4, 2010 by Lee Herman

Is there any reason for the Celtics to lose to the Nets? No. Is that cause for worry? Absolutely. Boston needs to be careful of being complacent after a good win against the Heat. The last time Boston played New Jersey was in November 7^th at the Izod Arena. That game they held the Nets to 76, the season low for an opponent this year. If the C’s lose to a team that hired a hypnotist/motivational speaker I think it will be time to question whether or not they can be considered a legit title contender.

Devin Harris will be playing in his third game back from a wrist injury. He is averaging 15.6 PPG and 6.2 APG which is decent for a fourth year player on a garbage team. Rajon Rondo will get a good look at collecting his fourth straight double double against the weak D of the Nets. If so inclined, I believe he could reach a triple double if he hangs around the boards like he was against Miami when he pulled down 6 REBS.

Courtney Lee hasn’t been all that was hoped for when the Nets picked him up from Orlando with just 11.3 PPG and a pretty bad .299 3P%. Ray Allen is coming off a nice game and should be able to stir up another good scoring game since I don’t think Lee will make him work too hard on the defensive end.

There has been talk of Coach Rivers starting Brian Scalabrine in place of the injured Paul Pierce for this game over Tony Allen. Why he would jerk around again with the rotation to insert a player with a grand total of 29 minutes on the floor in the last 5 games confounds me. Maybe he is trying to showcase him for a trade deadline deal. I can only hope. Should he start Scal, he’ll be up against a largely ineffective Jarvis Hayes, which only lends to my trade Scal theory.

Yi “The Chairman” Jianlian is actually having a nice year averaging almost 14 PPG but the rebounding has been a bit lacking for a seven footer. I think that KG will flat out work Yi on both ends of the court since he is faster and more physical than he’s given credit for down low.

That brings us to Brook Lopez. He’s having his coming out party this year on one of the worst temas in recent memory. Averaging 19 and 9 with 2 blocks a game is something to take notice of for this Super Soph. He’s proven that he isn’t afraid of contact and will be a handful for Perkins when he posts up. If he can develop more consistent low post moves he will be dangerous for a long time.

If the Celtics don’t win by at least ten at home, I’ll be disappointed. If they lose, I’ll be devastated. I’m hoping for a 95-81 victory or somewhere there about.