Brooklyn Nets (31-19, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (36-15, first in the Eastern Conference)
Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant meet when Boston hosts Brooklyn. Tatum is fourth in the NBA averaging 31.1 points per game and Durant is seventh in the league averaging 29.7 points per game.
The Celtics are 6-1 against opponents in the Atlantic Division. Boston ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 14.1 fast break points per game led by Tatum averaging 4.0.
The Nets are 6-4 against division opponents. Brooklyn ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 32.7 defensive rebounds per game led by Nicolas Claxton averaging 6.4.
The two teams square off for the third time this season. The Celtics defeated the Nets 109-98 in their last matchup on Jan. 13. Tatum led the Celtics with 20 points, and Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 24 points.
TOP PERFORMERS: Tatum is averaging 31.1 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Boston.
Durant is scoring 29.7 points per game with 6.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists for the Nets. Irving is averaging 26.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists over the last 10 games for Brooklyn.
LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 7-3, averaging 114.8 points, 47.6 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 6.1 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.0 points per game.
Nets: 4-6, averaging 114.5 points, 40.5 rebounds, 26.3 assists, 6.4 steals and 6.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.2 points.
INJURIES: Celtics: Robert Williams III: day to day (ankle), Danilo Gallinari: out for season (knee), Marcus Smart: out (ankle).
Nets: Kevin Durant: out (knee), T.J. Warren: day to day (shin), Ben Simmons: day to day (knee).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
