Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics Live Game Thread: Finally, we’re home

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (38-38) vs. Boston Celtics (45-31)

WHAT: No other way to put it: the Nets are in a desperate, desperate need for a win. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff hunt and really could use some of that home cooking to pick up a win over the Celtics.

WHERE: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

WHEN: 6:00 p.m. EST

HOW: YES, NBCSB; NBA League Pass

THE STORY: Game Preview

Jayson Tatum has looked much more vulnerable, and much more lost on the court at times than he did as a rookie, which is wild. He was like three jump shots away from leading his team to the NBA Finals last season, and you’d think those reps would push him to the next level. He serves as a solid reminder that player development isn’t always linear, and can sometimes get a little wonky before a guy reaches his true potential. In a couple of years we might be thinking “damn remember when Tatum was bad in his sophomore season? Wild. Can’t believe he’s averaging 30 points per game now” and that wouldn’t shock me! Look at all the Nets that have popped in their third or fourth seasons. DLo, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris, it’s a long list. It happens.

Speaking of D’Angelo Russell, man did he look tired in that Sixers game. Seven turnovers is just too many turnovers. The Nets have been basically non stop traveling for the entire month, and three straight home games are an absolute blessing. DLo’s hot streak was bound to end at some point, and it’s unfair and unrealistic to expect him to carry this team in a James Harden-esque fashion all the time. Hopefully the other scorers like Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, and even DeMarre Carroll can recharge their batteries and help the Nets get out of the offensive funk they’ve been in.

For more on the Celtics, check out: Celtics Blog