Boston Celtics: 3 keys to victory over the Brooklyn Nets

Key to victory No. 3) Treat the Brooklyn Nets like they would any other team

It’s no secret that the Brooklyn Nets are the most undermanned team in this 22-team Disney bubble. With the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, and Wilson Chandler all opting out for various reasons, the team has been virtually unrecognizable during these initial games.

And yet, despite this, they find themselves boasting a 2-1 record during the league’s resumption, an overall record of 32-35, and still in possession of the Eastern Conference’s second seed.

Led by the likes of a 40-year-old Jamal Crawford (albeit, in just six minutes of action), Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, Garrett Temple, and Justin Anderson the diminished Nets have even managed to best the presumptive title favorite Milwaukee Bucks in yesterday’s outing 119-116.

The Boston Celtics couldn’t even do that!

To put it as simple as possible: regardless of their lack of star power, Brooklyn is still an  NBA team who currently find themselves cast as the underdogs in the bubble.

Though the Celtics are obviously already heading towards their sixth consecutive postseason, coming into the playoffs polished is a must if they wish to have an extended stay.

With this, every remaining regular-season game needs to be looked at in the same vein — as a way for them to better position themselves for success moving forward.

This trend must continue with the Nets tonight, and this game must be treated as if they’re playing against the Bucks or Lakers themselves.