The weary, wounded Celtics will finally get some relief in the form of a six-day break beginning later tonight. First, they must deal with the New Jersey Nets. Boston's Atlantic Division foes invade TD Garden tonight in the final game before the All-Star break for both teams.
The Celtics will have Paul Pierce at the ready after the results of an MRI taken on his left foot following Sunday's 0-for-10 shooting performance against Miami came back negative. Not as certain will be the anticipated return of guard Delonte West, who tweaked the same wrist he broke back in November at Tuesday's practice, and was scheduled for x-rays.
The Celts will be looking to avoid a letdown after Sunday's big win over the Heat, as well as use tonight's contest as a bit of a momentum builder headed into the season's second half, which begins next Tuesday night in Oakland against the Golden State Warriors.
For the Nets, they will be looking to avoid dropping their 15th game in their last 16 meetings with the Celts. New Jersey currently stands at 17-39 and in fourth place in the Atlantic, 23.5 games behind the first place C's and are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Their leading scorer, third-year center Brook Lopez, posted 31 points and 11 rebounds in a 94-89 win over Charlotte last Friday.
The Celtics (39-14) look to finish the first half of the season on a high note against the Nets, tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST, on Comcast Sports Net New England.