Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics, 7:00 PM EST

The Brooklyn Nets, who will be without Kyrie Irving for this one, are headed to Boston to take on the first place Celtics.

Brooklyn is 5-1 this season without Irving, but these Celtics are pretty, pretty good. Should be a fun one.

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (9-8) at Boston Celtics (12-4)

WHEN: 7:00 PM EST

WHERE: ESPN (not on YES), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview

We really are getting deprived of an All Star battle at point guard tonight. Injuries suck.

In the meantime, we’ll still be getting treated to a wonderful matchup at point guard. Marcus Smart has been one of the best perimeter defenders in the league since he was drafted in 2014 and has gradually boosted his offensive game to the point where he’s kinda useful on that end. Brad Stevens won’t need him for that, but it’s nice to have. More importantly for Smart, he’ll be tasked with slowing Spencer Dinwiddie down. Fresh off being named Eastern Conference Player of the Week, Dinwiddie managed to top himself with the game winner on Monday.

For more on the Celtics, check out CelticsBlog.