Coming off a big win over the 76ers, who seem ready to give up when asked, the Nets flew to Boston to face the Celtics, who despite a 6-10 record over the past 16 without Rajon Rondo, are a playoff team, and the Nets don't do well against such teams.
Keith Bogans, who's had a sore back, will be out vs. the Sixers and Joe Johnson will be a game-time decision. P.J. Carlesimo has said getting Johnson healthy is the team's top priority. MarShon Brooks and C.J.Watson are likely to get more time.
The Nets have had two uninspiring games, a late loss to the injury-decimated Bulls and a late win over the lowly Bobcats. Now, come the 76ers who surprised Brooklyn the last time the two played a month ago in Philly.
The Nets play their 75th game Saturday vs. the lowly Bobcats who are "fighting" with the Magic for the NBA's worst record and top spot in the 2013 NBA Draft Lottery. It's hardly a must-win for the Nets, but after Thursday, it's big enough.
Brook Lopez is a creative guy, proud of his creative writing ability but also his creativity on the court. He spoke about it, along with a lot of other things, with Matt Moore of CBS Sports.
The Nets return home after 17 days on the road to face the Chicago Bulls in a crucial game for playoff seeding. The Bulls are now two and a half behind the Nets and a loss by Chicago would effectively eliminate them from contention for fourth seed.
Brook Lopez is now the leading scorer among centers in the NBA and the 12th best scorer in the league overall. He's also in the top five of player efficiency, top ten in wins and value added. Good thing the Nets didn't lose him in the Dwightmare.
The Nets will go for their all-time road record (in the NBA) Wednesday when they travel to Cleveland for the official end of their 8-game, 17-day road trip. The Cavs have lost nine straight and 13 of their last 15, but the still have Kyrie Irving.
After practice Tuesday, Joe Johnson told beat writers his right heel (soreness) and quad (contusion) "both felt great," but that he remains uncertain for Wednesday. He does expect to play one game of this week's back-to-back vs. the Cavs and Bulls.
The last time the Nets played the Jazz in Utah was not long after the lockout ended and the Nets, still in New Jersey, were hurting. They were 3-9 and they got mauled. He didn't play well as fans booed his every move. Now, he wants to "shut 'em up."
