• How many games will the Miami Heat lose?

The regular season is long and sometimes teams lull through games and even stretches of games. That’s why streaks are so important in the NBA–they show where your team’s mind is at. The Miami Heat are the defending champions in the NBA. They almost certainly needed something to get up for every game, right? Then it hit me–the Miami Heat actually had a 27 game winning streak. They were playing from behind in a lot of those games, so how hard was it for them to actually play their best basketball for four quarters? Well, whatever the case that won’t be the story in the postseason. I don’t see anyone taking this team down the way they are constructed and with the  way that their trio of stars have been playing lately.

• How good can the Brooklyn Nets be?

Before the season started I predicted the Brooklyn Nets would be a top four seed. I was correct in my prediction, but I wasn’t correct in the way that it would happen. I didn’t think that Brook Lopez would be the Nets best player for most of the year. I thought Deron Williams would carry most of the load–that didn’t happen until the close of the regular season. I thought this team was pieced perfectly around Williams for him to be productive, and it is. They’re a team that isn’t going to play very fast and they focus on cross-screening and post opportunity in the half court. Williams is the perfect inside-out point guard. He’s always been brilliant shooting the three ball. Now that he’s finishing on the inside again, the Brooklyn Nets should be looked at as a legitimate threat to the Miami Heat.

• How healthy are the San Antonio Spurs?

The Spurs didn’t close the season the way they wanted to. They lost seven of their last 10 games and lost their last three straight games. They lost Boris Diaw for three to four weeks and Manu Ginobili still isn’t 100 percent healthy. Tony Parker should get his legs back under him, but should we worry about his ankle going forward? The Spurs are a very good team and they have the tools to win it all, but if they can’t stay healthy they won’t make it past the first round.

• Who’s the better big in Los Angeles? Gasol or Howard?

The truth is that it probably doesn’t matter. Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard have been destroying teams on a united front for the past 10-15 games. The Lakers finished the season off strong and got into the playoffs off of the strength of their size. That’s how things should’ve been run throughout the year. Mike D’Antoni continued to make adjustments throughout the season, but when Gasol returned things just catapulted into the green for them. He’s averaging over 10 rebounds and six assists per game over the last 10. He finished the season with an emphatic triple double and Dwight Howard showed us his defensive prowess once again. If Howard and Gasol can both play like the top 20 players that they are, they have a good shot at beating anyone. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it will actually happen.

• How far will the Los Angeles Clippers go?

The Los Angeles Clippers are such an enigmatic team. They win 16 straight games in December and then play near .500 level basketball for the rest of the season. It seems that they’ve rested on their laurels–especially on the defensive end. Before the turn of the year, the Clippers yielded a top three defense in the league. Since then their defense has dropped to 8th in the league yielding 103.6 points per 100 possessions. That isn’t a bad total by any stretch, but if they can get their defense back into top three shape  they’ll be a legitimate title contender. If they can’t then they may not make it out of the first round past the Memphis Grizzlies.

Apr 10, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) goes for a basket while guarded by Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) and forward/center Brandon Bass (30) during the third quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Celtics lose at the hands of the Brooklyn Nets tonight 101-93 in a very sloppy performance by both teams. Boston started the game on a 15-7 run early in the first quarter but soon became flat, displaying little to no energy from the second quarter onward. This was another disappointing loss for a team that needs to get into a good rhythm before the playoffs. However, Brooklyn played hard and is obviously a tough matchup for Boston as they won the season series, defeating the Celtics twice at the Garden.

The Celtics had their chances to make a comeback early in the fourth quarter, but they reverted back to old ways, making careless mistakes, and forcing passes that weren’t there. Boston didn’t take advantage of fast break opportunities which can be accredited to Brooklyn’s defense getting back in transition.

Boston had no answer for Deron Williams who finished with 29 points and dished out 12 assists. With Avery Bradley in foul trouble throughout most of the game, there was no one on the Celtics who could matchup against him, and when they did slow him down, Joe Johnson stepped in and made big shots. The Nets overwhelmed Boston with their ability to go inside to Brook Lopez or kick the bal out to the guards who would hit the wide open perimeter shot. The Celtics weren’t prepared for their arsenal of firepower on the offensive end and it cost them.

Key players Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, and Avery Bradley were not factors tonight as they combined for 23 points. Sometimes thats enough, but Green was 4 for 17 from the field, only scoring 11 points, and Brandon Bass was 5 for 11 chipping in 10 points. The lack of production from Boston’s starters whose name is not Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett was a deciding factor for the Celtics tonight.

It has become a habit for Boston as they haven’t shown up in games within the last month or so. There was no energy or determination to win tonight, and even Doc Rivers asked the team if they even wanted to play tonight during a time-out. At this point in the season, this wasn’t one of those tough losses to swallow as Boston didn’t seem to care too much that they lost. The Celtics take on the Miami Heat Friday night in Miami. If Boston goes into that game with the same attitude as tonight, they’ll get blown out for sure.

December 25, 2012; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) and Brooklyn Nets forward Gerald Wallace (45) argue as Wallace holds Garnett

It’s amazing to think that the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets could meet in the first round of the playoffs, but in order for that to happen, Boston has to finish their final five games strong and for the teams ahead of them to go on losing streaks at the worst time of the year. The Nets own the season series defeating the Celtics twice in three games. Tonight is shaping up to be a statement game as everyone who hasn’t either torn their ACL or had back surgery will be ready to play for Boston. This is not going to be an easy game for the Celtics as the Nets have a strong core group of players.

• With Kevin Garnett back, the Celtics must take advantage of whatever size they’ll be fielding tonight. Garnett can change the complexion of the rebounding situation, and having him down in the paint might give Boston more second chance opportunities off the glass on the offensive end. He’s also been known to start fast breaks as he’s always looking to immediately kick the ball out to the guards so they can begin the up-tempo offense, or at least set up the next possession in a timely manner. Garnett was one the factors in Boston’s win against the Washington Wizards, and will be just as important as he was on Sunday.
• The Celtics have to play with the same intensity on defense against Deron Williams that they had against John Wall. Williams alone could be the difference tonight as he has the capability to completely take over games. They must keep him in check and make sure he doesn’t have any passing or driving lanes to the basket. He’s another player I wouldn’t consider a true point guard, but if he’s distributing the ball to his teammates, especially in the paint, it could be a long night for Boston.
• A strong start to tonight’s game is a must. Getting everyone in the starting lineup involved and in a good rhythm would certainly cause headaches for the Nets, as the Celtics have multiple scoring threats in the starting five. Jeff Green needs to be aggressive early, but has to play smart. Against Washington he received unnecessary offensive fouls which took him out of the game, and he never become a factor for Boston. Paul Pierce and KG are two players who can carry this team to victory against their divisional foes, and having them on fire early with the crowd behind them would be a major boost for Boston who is making their final playoff push.

The last five games are important as they’ll give the team time to gel on the court and learn offensive plays before the playoffs begin. Tonight won’t be an easy task, but if Boston takes care of business and plays like they did Sunday, they’ll walk away with the victory. The Celtics take on the Miami Heat Friday, so gathering momentum with a win tonight could propel them past the red hot Heat.