Final: Celtics 104, Nets 96 - Scheierman has career night

BOSTON CELTICS (49-19) vs BROOKLYN NETS (22-45) 

TD Garden, 7:30 p.m. - NBCS Boston/NBA TV

Line: Celtics -13.5

INJURIES

BOSTON 

OUT: Jaylen Brown (knee), Jayson Tatum (knee)

BROOKLYN

OUT:  De’Anthonoy Melton (knee), Cam Thomas (hamstring)

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Same game plan: I dare the Nets to hit 20 3-pointers again. I don’t think they can. I don’t think the combination of Ziaire Williams, Jalen Wilson, and Keon Johnson will go 13-24. 

Of course, I can dare them all I want. The Celtics should not dare people to shoot. They should still contest shots. But they should live with most of the shots these guys take. 

2. Stopping Maxwell Lewis’ run: Lewis followed up his perfect 3-3 night against Boston with a 2-4 performance against Atlanta. He had taken four 3-pointers all season prior to these two breakout games, so he’s feeling pretty confident right now. 

Young guys can ride confidence for a while, but Boston can break that by challenging him more than they did in their last game. 

3. Kristaps Porzingis: He had a very nice game in his return from a long illness, now let’s see how he follows it up. He’ll be instrumental in nullifying Nic Claxton by pulling him out of the lane, but Porzingis needs to hit more than 1-7 from 3. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.