National Basketball Association

Preview: Boston Celtics vs Brooklyn Nets

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Boston Celtics finally get to see what they can do with their new addition, Al Horford

The season is finally opening for the Boston Celtics, and they could not have asked for a better matchup. The Brooklyn Nets sent the third overall pick to the Celtics last season, and there is a good chance that they could be getting an even better one this season.

While the addition of Jeremy Lin may give the Nets a spark, the loss of Thaddeus Young makes it a distinct possibility that they could regress. With little other significant additions this offseason, the Nets could be fighting to stay out of the very bottom of the league.

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That being said, the Celtics cannot afford to take the Nets likely. They are in an ideal position to start the season off the right way, but they had some of their most disappointing performances against the Nets last year.

One of the most important things for the Celtics this season is proving that they can consistently play at their best. The Celtics had a great year last season, but they often fell into extended slumps, losing to teams that they should be beating with ease.

The Celtics were expected to walk all over the Nets last season, and they could also be one of the most improved teams in the East. Al Horford improves the Celtics in their two biggest areas of need, and gives them a huge boost against the one great weapon the Nets have, Brook Lopez.

The Celtics continually struggled to rebound and defend big men last year. Lopez undoubtedly is the caliber of player that could have abused the Celtics last year, but their defense should finally have the balance they lacked.

Horford will be their main paint protector, and Amir Johnson will be a serviceable defender. It used to be easy to attack the Celtics in the interior, but that could be the area they are most improved in this year. Lin will be forced to make plays and get them going on the exterior, and that could be trouble for a poor shooting team against the deadly Celtics perimeter defense.

Oct 13, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) goes up for a shot while being defended by Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) and forward Amir Johnson (90) during a preseason game during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics will also have to be careful because they are going into this game with two key injuries to Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk. Their second unit could easily be a liability on offense and on defense without those two, and a lot of responsibility is being put on inexperienced players.

The Celtics need to make sure that they are not in a position where that second unit could lose the game for them. They have a new ball handler in Terry Rozier, and expecting them to be on point out of the gate is unrealistic. They will need time to get comfortable and discover what the rotation will look like. The Celtics have a completely unsettled front court and if the Nets are able to get any advantage it will be with them on the court.

These match ups will always feel like a double win or a double loss for the Celtics. They cannot afford to lose games to the Nets if they want to reclaim the Atlantic Division and they know they have an opportunity at thew top pick in the draft this season.

The good news is that the starting unit will have to be a complete disaster for the second unit to be that difference maker. Isaiah Thomas should have no problem finding his rhythm against Lin and Randy Foye, and if the ball is moving well the Celtics can feel a lot more confident in their shooters.

Horford also expands what they can do in the paint. Lopez would have been the unquestioned dominant force on the inside, and any time the Celtics have been turned into a jump shooting team they have been on the edge of disaster. Horford should improve their attack on the inside enough and he can be a difference maker as a shooter, providing their best floor spacing.

The Celtics know that they need to come out in this opener and show what they are capable of now. They have a tough schedule following this game, and they cannot expect a perfect start with Olynyk and Smart.

The Celtics have their sights set on the Eastern Conference finals, and while there is nothing that can happen in the opening game that cannot be made up at some point in the season, each of these wins could be valuable. The Raptors have had a strong hold on the division these past couple years and they have established the consistency in the regular season that the Celtics have not.

It may to be their most exciting game of the season, but fans have been waiting a while to see what things will look like with Horford. They can finally show how well they can immediately play together and see exactly how well Horford is able to adjust right away. If the preseason was any indication, the Nets will be in for a long night.

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