Projected Starters:
Celtics: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Brian Scalabrine, Kendrick Perkins
Nets: Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Chris-Douglas Roberts, Yi Jianlian, Brook Lopez
Health Check: For the Celtics, guard Marquis Daniels (thumb) and forwards Kevin Garnett (knee) and Rasheed Wallace (foot) are all out.
For the Nets, guard Devin Harris (wrist) is listed as day-to-day.
Keep It In Mind: The Nets have already suffered through two separate 10-game losing streaks this season.
Who's Hot: For the Celtics, Brian Scalabrine drained all three of his 3-point field goal attempts against the Hawks on Monday and finished with nine points.
For the Nets, Brook Lopez is coming off a 28-point, 11-rebound effort against the Spurs on Sunday.
Who's Not: For the Celtics, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo combined to score just five points in the fourth quarter against Atlanta on Monday.
For the Nets, Courtney Lee managed just four points in 37 minutes against the Spurs on Sunday.
Key Matchup: Kendrick Perkins vs. Brook Lopez
Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce vs. Yi Jianlian
Skinny: All signs point to a Celtics victory tonight, BUT, there's no such thing as a guaranteed win in the NBA. The Celtics cannot simply "show up" tonight and expect to walk out of Izod with a victory. If the Celtics are assertive in the early going, there's no reason they can't wallop the Nets through the first three quarters and rest their starters in the final frame.
Devin Harris did not play against the Spurs on Monday, but if he does, look for some interesting matchups between him and Rondo and Lopez and Perkins. As much as Yi has impressed on the offensive end lately, let's see how he fares while trying to guard Paul Pierce. Pierce might have to shoulder more of the scoring than usual tonight, only because Courtney Lee routinely gave Ray Allen fits during last season's playoffs, and could very well limit his effectiveness tonight. Other than that, the Celtics, if they play the way they're capable of playing, shouldn't have too many problems securing a win tonight.