The Brooklyn Nets are playing their best basketball of the season as the team sits above .500 for the first time this year. The team has won four straight games as they go for their longest win streak of the season, heading on the road to face the struggling Boston Celtics.
The success of the Nets have come in the form of defense as the team is allowing just 90.3 points per game during their win streak while forcing 22.8 turnovers. The team displayed that lock-down attitude when they beat the surging Chicago Bulls on Monday and then dominated the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. 2014 has been fruitful for the Nets as they have an Eastern Conference best record 20-8 in the new year. That is a nice chance from their 10-21 start.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce return to TD Garden for the second time since the summer trade. Garnett will not be active for the game after suffering back spasms. Jason Collins will also be returning to Boston for the first time after he played 32 games with the team last season but was no re-signed for this year.
The Nets have won 15 of 16 games against teams who are under .500 and that should not change against the Celtics. Boston has dropped seven straight games against teams with winning records while losing seven of eight games overall. They are shooting just 29.2 percent from long range, contributing to their recent downfall.
If there is a silver lining to Boston's season, it comes in the form of rookie Kelly Olynyk. The center led Boston with 19 points in the loss to Golden State while coming off the bench. In his last nine games he is averaging 11.2 points and 7.3 rebounds. He will be needed against the surging Nets.
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