The Nets have topped the 120-point mark in three of their last four games to quiet talk that the team had little interest in making a late run at the No. 8 seed. In fact, coming off a huge win at Indiana, Brooklyn now continues a stretch that sees them face each of the teams involved in the race for No. 8, continuing at Charlotte on Wednesday. Center Brook Lopez scored 26 points on 11-for-14 shooting and Bojan Bogdanovic added 21 on a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Keep an eye on Bogdanovic, who 30-for-47 from the field over his last four games, averaging 17.8 points off the bench. Deron Williams hasn't played more than 28 minutes in a single game over his last five, so the Nets are looking to keep him fresh despite not resting him on the second night of a back-to-back. He had 17 points and six assists against Indiana and looks to be getting back into the type of groove he was in just after the All-Star break. Brooklyn has won four of five and only 1.5 games out of a playoff spot and play their best ball against divisional opponents.
Boston is still without Isiah Thomas who was giving the Celtics a big lift prior to getting hurt with his 20 ppg. Look for the Nets to come up big on Monday at home.