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Boston Celtics 96 Brooklyn Nets 104 F Upon his return to the court, after having missed the past nine games due to a sprained ankle, Nets point guard Deron Williams’ presence was immediately felt on the floor. Williams led all players in the game with 25 points and seven assists. The effort helped lead the Nets past the Atlantic Division-leading Boston Celtics 104-96 at the Barclays Center tonight. Brooklyn now sits two games out of first place.
Of course, after the blockbuster trade that occurred during the offseason between these two teams, there were a number of players involved in the game that were given a shot at redemption in facing their former club. Forward Paul Pierce, who along with Kevin Garnett won the 2008 NBA Championship with the Celtics, also returned to action after breaking his hand against the Houston Rockets on November 29th. Pierce finished this contest with a small contribution, as he came off the bench to score four points and corral seven rebounds. Garnett came close to a double-double, putting up 11 points and pulling down nine boards. Of the former Nets that were sent to the Celtics in the July 12th deal, Gerald Wallace logged the most minutes. Wallace got into it with Alan Anderson and was given a technical late in the fourth quarter. Also key to the Nets win were the 24 points dropped by Brook Lopez.
In a nationally televised contest on Thursday night, the Nets will look to build their winning streak to three games against the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Clippers. Tip-off is set for 8:00 at the Barclays Center.
Notes: According to NBA.com reporter David Aldridge, head coach Jason Kidd used a “13-letter word” in an argument with assistant Lawrence Frank. “Sit the (blank) down! I’m the coach of this (13-letter word) team! When you’re on the bench, don’t (blank) move,” Kidd angrily yelled at Frank. Apparently, this was the final straw between the two coaches, prior to the assistant coach being reassigned in the organization.
ESPN New York’s Mike Mazzeo shared the perspective of current Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers on the lack of minutes two of his former players, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, are being given by Kidd. Referring to Pierce, Rivers stated, “He can score anywhere. I think he was more uncomfortable with the minutes that they were [playing him], like they did with Kevin. And that’s not Paul. Paul doesn’t work under those type of minutes- at least, in my opinion he doesn’t. He’s a guy that needs a rhythm to play.” Moving on to speak about Garnett, Rivers said, “In Kevin’s case, on a 20-minute restriction, of course his numbers are going to be down. So I think at some point, he probably is going to have to play more minutes to improve, so he can get a better rhythm himself.” With the focus on keeping the two veterans fresh for the entire season, Pierce is averaging 29.1 minutes per game, with Garnett at 22.7 minutes a contest.
Greg Aaron: PureSportsNY