Celtics look for improvement as they host the Nets

Jim O'Connor-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire

The Celtics look for a stronger effort. as they return home to host the Brooklyn Nets.

Brooklyn Nets (2-1) at Boston Celtics (1-3)
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
7:30 PM ET
Preseason Game #5, Home Game #2
TV: NBA-TV, CSNNE
TD Garden

Referees: Ed Malloy, Sean Corbin, Karl Lane

Game Thread l Chat

The Celtics make their Garden debut tonight as they face the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams are playing in the second of back to back games. The Celtics are coming off a 32 point loss to the Sixers and the Nets got a 12 point win vs the Wizards in their very first game in their new home, The Barclays Center. .

Doc gave KG the night off on Monday. The Game Notes have Courtney Lee and Jared Sullinger remaining in the starting lineup for this game and KG back in his starting center spot. But, so far, the Game Notes haven't been very much help because the lineups have been changing so much. Even though he's enjoyed experimenting with all the new pieces he has with this team, it may be time to start working on setting the rotation. But as with the other games in the preseason, it's impossible to predict who will start or what Doc will do in this game.

The Nets currently only have five players on their training camp roster who are returning after spending last season with the team. They are playing in a new city and new arena and so will have little continuity to the past. Three of those players, Deron Williams, Kris Humphries, and Brook Lopez, will bring some continuity to the starting lineup. Add in newly acquired Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace and they should be a tough team this season.

Doc has used 4 different starting lineups in as many games this preseason. He will continue to evaluate players, develop the core and work on areas of concern in this game. Two areas of concern are turnovers and pick and roll defense. With 5 games in 7 nights, Doc will also continue to limit the starters minutes and give the younger players a chance to show what they can do.