Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets: X-factors, key matchups, and a prediction
By Dan Knitzer
Celtics vs. Nets: Key matchups
Jayson Tatum vs. Kevin Durant
Jayson Tatum’s career, like Kevin Durant, began to blossom at a very young age. Though he hasn’t won a scoring title yet, while Durant had won two in his first four seasons, Tatum has had more playoff success than Durant had four years ago.
This regular season he was out due to health and safety protocol, and the team fell off a cliff after nearly making the NBA Finals in the bubble. After dropping a 50 piece to seal the 7th seed, he should be riding high.
Durant had one of the most effective scoring seasons to date but struggled to remain healthy. He also likely wants to prove he’s still near the same defensive player he was with the Golden State Warriors. Look for him and Tatum to spend lots of time guarding one another on the wing and in the post.
Marcus Smart vs. The World
The second key matchup in this series will be Marcus Smart vs. the World! Smart has been one of the best defenders in the league for almost his whole career. He’s strong enough to hang with big guards like Harden, crafty enough to chase Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris, and stout and tenacious enough to guard Durant almost as well as Tony Allen used to for the Grizzlies.
But there’s only one of him. Expect him to lead all Celtics besides Tatum in minutes.