The Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics are not exactly having the seasons they were hoping for. Both teams are struggling to get any kind of momentum going this year as win streaks have been rare. The result has been trades or at least attempted trades. The Boston Celtics officially said goodbye to Rajon Rondo while the Nets are shopping everyone from Deron Williams to Brook Lopez. Now they face off to gain speed in the Atlantic Division.
The Nets have a two-game win streak after getting wins over the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets. However, they are struggling against winning teams, sitting at 12-15 since Dec. 5 after falling to teams like the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls. A three-game win streak has not been easy for Brooklyn, but facing Boston could hep the team gain some momentum.
Brooklyn has been benefitting from better play from Mason Plumlee who is excelling while trade rumors circulate Lopez. In the last two games, Plumlee has combined for 40 points and 25 rebounds. After a successful stint with Team USA basketball, Plumlee was expected to have a big season this year. However, having to sit on the bench while Lopez was the starter was certainly not ideal for the second-year pro. However, the increased responsibilities have Plumlee playing big for Brooklyn.
The Celtics sit in third place in the division, but saying goodbye to Rondo will not help improvement. Rookie Marcus Smart will not take over as the starting point guard. Fresh out of Oklahoma State, the Celtics had remained very complimentary of the point guard since his arrival. It was assumed that the drafting of Smart meant the end of the Rondo era in Boston. That proved to be true when the team dealt him to the Dallas Mavericks in favor of assets and draft picks.
Both the Nets and Celtics are looking less and less likely to be playoff contenders this season with the increased play of teams like the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets. Getting a win before the end of the New Year will certainly help move things along in a better direction.
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