The Brooklyn Nets officially have their first-round matchup set: they will take on second-seeded Boston Celtics starting this weekend.
Taking down the Celtics is a tall order, especially after the season they’ve had.
The Celtics have ended the season with a terrific 51-31 record and have blown up into one of the most explosive, fearsome teams in the entire league.
However, the Nets say they know how they’ll take them down.
Bruce Brown: "Them not having Robert Williams is huge. We can attack Theis and Horford in the paint." #Celtics #Nets
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) April 13, 2022
Nets star Bruce Brown talked about the approach his team will take to defeat the Celtics.
“Them not having Robert Williams is huge,” Brown told the press after Tuesday night’s victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“We can attack Theis and Horford in the paint,” he continued.
Is this the best recipe for success?
Brown And Brooklyn Battling Boston
Brown is right about one thing: the loss of Celtics starting center Robert Williams III is “huge.”
The 24-year-old big man was averaging 10 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game and was a major part of the Celtics’ great season.
Unfortunately, he tore the meniscus in his left knee on March 27 and has no date set for his return.
Head coach Ime Udoka told reporters that four-to-six weeks is a realistic timetable for his recovery, which means he will definitely miss the first round of the playoffs.
So the Nets are smart to plan a competition without Williams.
Boston is still a very tough team but the lack of Williams truly does hurt them.
If the Nets can capitalize on that loss, they could surprise everyone and make their way into the second round.
With or without Williams, the first round between Brooklyn and Boston is sure to be a wild one.
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