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Christmas Day Showdown: Nets vs. Celtics

Al Nahigian

Christmas Day basketball! There’s really nothing like it. Just like Thanksgiving has their NFL games, the NBA has their most coveted matchups on Christmas. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise at this point, but our Celtics have found their way on that list. The Celtics will welcome Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Garden to take on the Nets. So with that in mind, here’s a little preview for the Christmas showdown.

Kyrie Irving’s (Regular Season) Return

Kyrie being Kyrie right! This guy is just insufferable. His talent? Second to none. He is one of the most talented point guards and overall players in the NBA. Personality wise? That’s another story. Nevertheless, Kyrie makes his regular season return to the TD Garden. Figures, because there will be no fans in the stands. But the Celtics have a problem here on their hands. Guys like Marcus Smart and Jeff Teague will need to keep a close eye on Irving. He’s one of the best ball handlers and creates his own shot better than most players.

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is back and fully healthy. When that’s the case, Durant is arguably the best player in the NBA. He’s shown it time and time again. He looked like his former self in the Nets opening night win against the Warriors. It’s going to be interesting to see who the Celtics put on Durant. Semi Ojeleye? Jaylen Brown? Marcus Smart for select possessions? There’s interesting possibilities here. If the Celtics can slow Durant down a bit, that’ll certainly help.

The Two J’s and a Big Game One Win

Here’s your future Celtics fans. JT and JB combined to finish for 63 points total out of a possible 122. Honestly, this matchup depends on how well these two play. If one of them is off, that spells huge trouble for the Celtics. If they can repeat the performance that they did on Wednesday night against Milwaukee, this will be a fun game to watch. Oh and also, how about the big shot by JT?

The man is taking a step in the direction of being a superstar. Both of them are when you really think about it in depth. I love these two and the future looks bright. I know I mentioned this with Quags on CGS podcast this past week, but I’m changing my mind. Keep Jaylen Brown here in Boston forever. You can keep James Harden away from here! (Unless JB, JT, and Smart aren’t involved, then bring him in!)

The Preseason Tilt

This game wasn’t even close honestly. The Nets were up by even more before the fourth quarter. Safe to say, the Celtics got the crap kicked out of them by the Nets last Friday. But something tells me things will be different today. I know the Celtics are still without Kemba. But the Celtics seemed to flip a switch from the preseason to the Milwaukee game. Throw the preseason stats out the window, that Celtics team doesn’t exist now that the games actually count.

In Conclusion

This matchup is going to be a whole lot of fun. Do I think the Celtics win this time? I don’t think so. It’ll be a lot closer and a heck of a game. But at the end, Durant and Irving will show why the Nets are for real and close the game out.

Al’s Official Christmas Prediction: Nets 110 Celtics 104

We’ll see what happens. Merry Christmas everyone and go Celtics!

–Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)

 

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Feat. image courtesy of youtube.com/

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