Third Meeting: The Atlantic Division rivals meet for the third time this season after splitting the first two games 1-1. The home team won each of the first two contests, with the Nets taking the most recent meeting 111-101, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Celtics. Brook Lopez and Jarrett Jack combined for 45 points in the win.
Celtics:
The Celtics are challenging for the Atlantic Division lead, as they sit 1.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics were on their way up, but had their four-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday night, losing 112-104 to the LA Lakers. While Isaiah Thomas is the Celtics top offensive threat, the Nets need to also account for Avery Bradley, who is averaging 24 points against Brooklyn this season. Thomas and Bradley both scored 27 at Barclays Center earlier this season.
Isaiah Thomas:
Isaiah Thomas enters the game as the NBA’s fourth-highest scoring point guard, averaging 20.8 ppg. Thomas is the Celtics go-to scorer and distributor, averaging 6.8 apg, good for eighth in the Association. Thomas had 27 points against the Nets on Nov. 22 and is averaging 22.5 points and 7.5 assists against Brooklyn this season. Thomas is coming off back-to-back 20+ point nights, most recently a 24-point effort against the LA Lakers.
Thomas vs. Jack:
While Thomas is a better scorer than Nets point guard Jarrett Jack, Jack has the edge in ball distribution. Jack is sixth in the NBA averaging 7.3 assists per game, had 10 assists against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday and has hit double-digits in two of his last three games. The Nets’ point guard is averaging 16.5 ppg against the Celtics this season.
McCullough Practices: Nets’ rookie Chris McCullough went through his first 5-on-5 limited practice this season on Friday. McCullough tore is ACL on Jan. 11, 2015 and has yet to participate in any NBA practices with the Nets. He is not yet cleared for game action.
