No. 25 Princeton women force 26 turnovers in a 97-47 rout of Dartmouth

HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — Fadima Tall, Madison St. Rose and Emily Eadie each scored 13 points to help No. 25 Princeton rout Dartmouth 97-47 on Friday night.

Princeton (22-3, 10-2 Ivy League) has won 19 of its last 21 games — with both losses coming against Columbia. The Tigers improved to 31-1 against the Big Green since the 2009-10 season.

Princeton pulled away by outscoring Dartmouth 32-12 in the third quarter. Toby Nweke and Grace O’Sullivan made back-to-back 3-pointers, and Skye Belker scored on two straight possessions to cap Princeton’s 25-4 third-quarter run for a 65-30 lead.

Princeton added a 13-2 run to begin the fourth for an 85-40 lead.

Belker and Nweke each scored 12 points and Taylor Charles had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Princeton, which did not have a double-digit scorer until the fourth quarter. Nweke made five of Princeton's 20 steals. The Tigers shot 57% from the field and outrebounded the Big Green 40-23.

Dartmouth (10-15, 1-11) was led by Zeynep Ozel and Jacalyn Myrthil with nine points apiece. The Big Green turned it over 26 times and attempted 29 less field goals than Princeton.

Up next

Princeton: Stays on the road to play Harvard on Saturday.

Dartmouth: Hosts Pennsylvania on Saturday.

___

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Mavericks vs Grizzlies Preview and Injury Update: Dallas is tired

DALLAS, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 22: Dallas Mavericks mascot Champ entertains before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at American Airlines Center on November 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (21-37) host the Memphis Grizzlies (21-36) on Friday night. Dallas is coming off a rather shocking loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings. Memphis is locked in to their tank, losing three in a row recently, with losses to Miami, Sacramento, and Golden State. This is a match up between two teams racing towards the lottery.

Here’s the main things you need to know:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Memphis Grizzlies
  • WHAT: The second night of a home back-to-back
  • WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
  • WHEN: 7:30 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass

It’s another brutal injury report for the Mavericks. They will be without so many players today. Starting with the obvious: Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively are still out. Cooper Flagg is missing another game due to his foot and Marvin Bagley is out after straining his neck in a fall against the Kings. Next there are four players listed as doubtful, which means they are out as well: Moussa Cisse, Ryan Nembhard, Klay Thompson, and PJ Washington. Caleb Martin is questionable with a back injury.

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The Grizzlies also have a ton of guys out. Let’s list them off! Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Cederic Coward, Brandon Clark, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Anderson, and Sani Aldama. Ty Jerome is doubtful. Before the game tips SIXTEEN players between both teams aren’t going to play. Ridiculous.

Dallas is tired. Naji Marshall is playing 100000 minutes. Memphis has at least had a day off, whereas the Mavericks played one last night. This might be an ugly game but I bet Dallas hangs around.

Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!

Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!

Game Thread: Knicks at Bucks, February 27, 2026

The Knicks (37*-22) visit the Bucks (26-31) tonight at Fiserv Forum with a chance to take the season series after splitting the first two meetings. Milwaukee has won eight of its last 10 and did so without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). Things that make you go hmmm! Meanwhile, New York, with two days of rest, will want to take care of business tonight and get home to prepare for an early Sunday game versus San Antonio.

Tip-off is 8 pm EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is Brew Hoop. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Mind your manners. And go Knicks!

* Should be one more, but the Cup Final was a trick of the eye.

James Harden sits out Cavaliers' game at Piston after fracturing thumb

DETROIT (AP) — James Harden sat out the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night as he recovers from a fractured right thumb.

Harden was injured Tuesday against New York. He's averaging 18.9 points in seven games for the Cavaliers following a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Cleveland also was without Donovan Mitchell. He strained his groin against the Knicks.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

James Harden still struggling to dribble after broken thumb

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 20: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on during the first half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on February 20, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

DETROIT — The Cleveland Cavaliers will be shorthanded for Friday’s showdown against the Detroit Pistons. Their star-studed backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden will both be missing the game.

Harden broke his thumb in Tuesday’s win over the New York Knicks. Initial X-rays revealed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. He will not be undergoing surgery at this time and is expected to play through the injury.

However, that won’t be happening on Friday as he’s still struggling to dribble according to head coach Kenny Atkinson.

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“I know this morning he was struggling a little just dribbling,” Atkinson said when asked about Harden’s thumb injury before Friday’s game in Detroit. “If you have a hard time dribbling and catching [it’s tough to play]. Jarrett Allen went through it earlier in the season. We tried to bring him back. He wanted to rush, and then we had to go back and give him some time.

“I know James is different…we got to get the feedback from James. … Theres no tougher guy in the league. No one more available. No one wants to play more.”

The plan was to have Harden go through pregame warmups and see how it goes. However, he didn’t come out for pregame warmups like usual.

Even though he won’t be playing Friday, Atkinson says that he is making progress.

“It was improved from when he first did it,” Atkinson said. “It wasn’t like, man it feels the same. It’s better than it was two days ago, so that’s a positive.

Harden has played seven games with the Cavs this season and is averaging 18.9 points and 8 assists on .494/.488/.867 shooting splits. On the season, he’s averaged 24.5 points and 8.1 assists in 51 games.

Cavs at Pistons open gamethread

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 04: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against Duncan Robinson #55 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Rocket Arena on January 04, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers will be shorthanded again. That isn’t ideal when going against the best team in the conference, the Detroit Pistons.

I’ll be in the comments throughout the game sharing my thoughts. Feel free to join in on the conversation and let your voice be heard in the comments below.

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Go Cavs!

Espí late show gives Levante priceless win over Alaves

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain (AP) — Carlos Espí scored twice in the dying minutes to give Levante a 2-0 win over Alaves on Friday and a vital three points in its fight to avoid relegation from La Liga.

Espí, who came through the youth ranks at the Valencia-based club, had scored only once all season but tripled his tally with a blistering late show against an Alaves side that played the last half hour with 10 men after Víctor Parada was sent off.

Espí's deflected shot in the 88th minute put Levante ahead and he then sparked jubilant scenes with almost the last kick of the game when his assured finish rounded off a counterattack.

"This has been one of my greatest nights," the 20-year old told broadcaster DAZN. "It's incredible."

The result snapped a four-game losing streak for the home side. It remained second from bottom of La Liga but has cut the gap with the fourth bottom club to four points.

Alaves was 14th but only three points clear of the relegation zone.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

CSR Weekend Warriors: 2/27-3/1

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Oristanio's late goal cancels stunning Folorunsho strike as Parma draw with Cagliari

PARMA, Italy (AP) — Gaetano Oristanio came on at halftime and scored a late equalizer for Parma against Cagliari in a hard-fought 1-1 home draw in Serie A on Friday.

Oristiano’s goal seven minutes from time earned Parma a point but its poor home form continued. It has won only two of its last 12 home games and has not won two in a row at Stadio Ennio Tardini since January 2020.

Still, it has taken 10 points from its last 12 and moves into 11th place, a point behind Lazio and a point ahead of Udinese.

Michael Folorunsho put Cagliari ahead 18 minutes into the second half with a stunning 30-meter strike.

The midfielder on loan from Napoli missed the last 10 games through injury and was introduced just after the hour mark. Two minutes later, he spied Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi off his line and his dipping shot from near the right touchline flew over Corvi’s head and into the far corner of the net.

The goal was Cagliari’s first since January but leaves it without a win in four games. It sits in 13th spot, six points above the relegation zone.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Bottom club Wolves shock high-flying Aston Villa at Molineux

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AP) — João Gomes scored his first Premier League goal of the season and Rodrigo Gomes added a second in stoppage time to give bottom club Wolverhampton a shock 2-0 win over high-flying Aston Villa on Friday.

It was only the second win in the league for a club that remains six points adrift at the bottom of the table and is almost certain to be relegated.

However, there was no hiding the joy felt by the home players and fans who were ecstatic at beating their Midlands rival.

“You have to be pretty good to get a result like that against them,” coach Rob Edwards said.

“I’m really proud. Nights like this is why I came here. To connect with the supporters like that. I know we are in a difficult position but I love football. I love it on nights like that."

The result was a bitter blow to Villa’s Champions League aspirations and a slap in the face for coach Unai Emery, who was bidding to record his 100th victory in charge of the Birmingham club.

“Now is the moment to be together and understand how the season is going," Emery said. "We need to understand the moment we are in. We were already recovering because we drew two and won one but today we didn’t get the result we needed. It is still in our hands to reach the ambitions in the top positions.”

Both sides struggled in a dour first half but Wolves seized the initiative 16 minutes into the second period when Gomes gave it a surprise lead.

Adam Armstrong deftly cushioned a long pass right into the path of the onrushing Gomes and his superbly struck shot gave Emiliano Martínez no chance.

Villa pushed forward as the game went on and it was caught out in stoppage time when Wolves doubled its lead on the break, Rodrigo Gomes doing the damage.

Villa has won only one of its last five league games. The result leaves it 10 points behind leader Arsenal and five behind second-placed Manchester City, having played a game more than both.

Its next two matches are against the clubs immediately below it in the table, Chelsea and Manchester United.

“We need to keep playing how we are," Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers said. "We are in third for a reason, we need to not forget that. The run lately hasn’t been the same, sometimes you have to come back down to earth as you are playing good teams which you could win or lose. That is the Premier League. We need to stay focused and get back to what we know.

“We didn’t do anywhere near enough to create chances and score goals. “We controlled the game so it isn’t all doom and gloom. They took their chances and we didn’t create enough.”

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Lens miss chance to top Ligue 1 after draw with in-form Strasbourg

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Lens missed a chance to top Ligue 1 after it fought back from a goal down to draw at Strasbourg 1-1 on Friday.

Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelli scored for the third game in a row to put the home side ahead after 18 minutes at Stade de la Meinau.

Panichelli's 14th goal of the season tied him with Mason Greenwood at the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring chart.

Lens fought back to equalize 17 minutes into the second half through Mamadou Sangare. A corner kick was cleared to Sangare’s feet and his first-time drive flew through a forest of legs and into the bottom corner.

It was only the second draw in the league for Lens, which was the better team in the second half but found Strasbourg goalkeeper Mike Penders in top form.

A win would have taken it a point clear of league leader and reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain but remained a point behind in second, having played a game more. PSG is at Le Havre on Saturday.

Strasbourg, meanwhile, climbed into seventh. It has lost only two of its last 14 matches in all competitions.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Phoenix Suns are officially parting ways with Cole Anthony

WASHINGTON, DC -  JANUARY 29: Cole Anthony #50 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 29, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Sabina Shysh/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Phoenix Suns mildly shook things up at the February trade deadline by sending Nick Richards and Nigel Hayes-Davis away in exchange for Amir Coffey and Cole Anthony. On the surface, it was a deal that made sense. Phoenix needed to get off some money to get under the luxury tax line, and both Richards and NHD were the expendable assets to do so. Both players seemed to fit the Suns’ style: gritty, tough, disruptive.

Reports surfaced immediately that the team had no intention of keeping Anthony long-term, however.

The reasoning was simple. The Suns already had Jamaree Bouyea on a two-way contract, and the front office views him as the right fit for that specific role. Bouyea has taken advantage of the opportunity allotted to him, and while nothing is official as of yet, I would not be surprised if this were the next roster-related domino to fall.

While he played in 35 games for the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 6.7 points on 42/30/62 splits, Anthony has consistently appeared on the injury report with a “not with team” designation.

That situation reached its conclusion today. The Suns are officially waiving Cole Anthony.

As Arizona Sports Suns insider John Gambadoro notes, the team was looking to see if a buyout was possible. A buyout would save the team some money if a deal could have been reached. Ultimately, that did not occur, so the organization opted to waive him.

This move allows the organization to convert Bouyea to a guaranteed deal while also freeing up a two-way roster spot. It remains to be seen if the Suns will fill that final opening immediately, but their track record with player development suggests they likely will.

As for Anthony, he now enters the market looking for his next opportunity on either a standard or two-way contract.

Augsburg beats Cologne to go record-equalling eight straight games unbeaten at home

AUGSBURG, Germany (AP) — Rodrigo Ribeiro scored for the second game in a row and Alexis Claude-Maurice added a second with the last kick of the game as Augsburg beat Cologne 2-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday.

Six days after he scored in a 3-2 win over Wolfsburg, Ribeiro's cute backheel from a cutback by U.S. defender Noahkai Banks broke the deadlock in the 55th minute.

Claude-Maurice made sure of the win deep in stoppage time when, with all of the Cologne players in the opposition box for a last-gasp corner, he charged forward and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Augsburg’s fifth win in six games left it in ninth place, tied on points with Eintracht Frankfurt, the team above it.

Cologne was missing four players with muscle injuries, a rash of absences that coach Lukas Kwasniok said was the worst he had ever faced.

The visitor was the more physical of the two sides in a hard-fought first half and was unfortunate not to go in a goal up at the break after Eric Martel’s header came back off the crossbar.

But Augsburg — wearing a one-off shirt designed to highlight the city’s history — took its chances in the second half as it roared to a club-record-equalling eight consecutive matches unbeaten at home in the Bundesliga.

Cologne has won only one of its last six league games and remained in 12th place.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Boston Celtics Daily Links 2/27/26

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 25: The sneakers worn by Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 25, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

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Brooklyn Nets (15-43) at Boston Celtics (38-20) Game #59 2/27/26

BROOKLYN, NY - JANUARY 23: Danny Wolf #2 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on January 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Brooklyn Nets (15-43) at Boston Celtics (38-20)
Friday, February 27, 2025
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #59,  Home Game #28
TV:  NBCSB, YES, NBA-TV
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 101.9 FM, Serius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics return home from their 3-1 western road trip to host the Brooklyn Nets. This is the 4th, and final, game between them this season. The Celtics won the first meeting 113-99 in Brooklyn on November 18. They lost the second game 113-205 at Boston on November 21. They won the 3rd game 130-126 in OT on January 23.

The Celtics have swept the series against the Nets in the last 2 seasons. The Celtics are 147-75 overall all time against the Nets and they are 77-35 when playing in Boston. The Nets are playing on the second night of back to back games, having played the Spurs at home on Thursday night. The Celtics are playing in the first game at home after 4 straight games on the road on the West coast so, even though they had a day off, they had to travel across country and may still have a bit of jet lag.

The Nets made a couple of moves at the trade deadline. They got Ochai Agbaji from Toronto as part of a 3 team trade. They also received Josh Minott from the Celtics in exchange for cash considerations. They also waived Cam Thomas after the deadline. They are still the youngest team in the league with an average age of 23.98.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 5.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York , 2 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 4.5 games ahead of 5th place Toronto, 6 games ahead of 6th place Philadelphia and 6.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Celtics are 24-13 against Eastern Conference opponents and 7-5 against the Atlantic Division. They are 18-9 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a loss in their last game.

The Nets are 14th in the East, 28.5 games behind first place Detroit, 13 games behind 10th place Charlotte, 11.5 games behind 11th place Milwaukee, 8.5 games behind 12th place Chicago, 1 game behind 13th place Washington and 1 game ahead of 15th place Indiana. They are 11-24 against Eastern Conference opponents and 3-9 against the Atlantic Division. They are 7-22 on the road and 2-8 in their last 10 games. They have lost their last 6 games.

The Celtics are back home after a 4 game Western road trip. They went 3-1 on the trip, losing only the final game at Denver. After this game against Brooklyn, they will host Philadelphia before a game at Milwaukee. Then they are back home for games against Charlotte and Dallas before a tough 3 game road trip through Cleveland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City. Then they host Washington, Phoenix and Golden State. Then, it is one game at Memphis before a 3 game home stand against Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Atlanta.

The Nets are playing in the 2nd of back to back games after hosting San Antonio on Thursday. They will return home to play Cleveland before heading out to play 2 games at Miami and 1 at Detroit. Then they play home vs Memphis and Detroit before playing at Atlanta and Philadelphia. Next they host Portland, Oklahoma City, and New York before a road trip through Sacramento, Portland, Golden State and the Lakers.


The Celtics have just Jayson Tatum on the injury report and the rumors are getting stronger as to his return to play this season. The Nets have no one on their injury list. I’ve listed their starting lineup from their game notes. This is the same starting lineup that started Thursday’s game for the Nets.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Nolan Traore

Derrick White | NBAE via Getty Images
Nolan Traore | NBAE via Getty Images

SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Egor Demin

Baylor Scheierman | Denver Post via Getty Images
Egor Demin | NBAE via Getty Images

SF: Jaylen Brown vs Michael Porter, Jr

Jaylen Brown | Getty Images
Michael Porter, Jr | Getty Images

PF: Sam Hauser vs Noah Clowney

Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty Images
Noah Clowney | Getty Images

C: Neemias Queta vs Nic Claxton

Neemias Queta | Getty Images
Nic Claxton | Getty Images

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Nikola Vucevic
Jordan Walsh
Delano Banton (10-day)
John Tonje (10-day)

2-Way Players
Ron Harper, Jr
Max Shulga

Injuries/Out
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Nets Reserves
Terance Mann
Josh Minott
Drake Powell
Ben Seraf
Day’Ron Sharpe
Ziaire Williams
Jalen Wilson
Danny Wolf 

Two-Way Players
EJ Liddell
Tyson Etienne
Chaney Johnson

Injuries/Out
None

Head Coach
Jordi Fernandez

Key Matchups
Jaylen Brown vs Michael Porter, Jr
Porter is clearly the Nets best player and is averaging 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1 steal per game. He is shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.0% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against Boston this season, he averaged 29 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 56.8% from the field and 57.1% from beyond the arc. In the January 21 game, he finished with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists while shooting 47.4% from the field and 33.3%from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him better in this game.

Neemias Queta vs Nic Claxton
Claxton is averaging 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4. 1 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.  He is shooting 59.1% from the field and 20% from three.  In the first 2 games this season against the Celtics, he averaged 12.5 points, 11 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1 block while shooting 36.4% from the field with no threes. In the January 21 game, he finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds 4 assists and 1 block.   In the Nets’ win over the Celtics, he put up his first career triple double.  The Celtics need to keep him out of the paint and be aware of him on defense as he is a good rim protector. 

Honorable Mention
Sam Hauser vs Noah Clowney 
Clowney is averaging 12.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 39.5% from the field and 32.6% from beyond the arc.  In the first 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 16 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal while shooting 47.8% from the field and 40% from 3.  In the January 21 game he finished with15 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

Keys to the Game
Defense – As always, defense is a key to winning this, and every, game.  The Celtics are 7th  with a defensive rating of 111.9.  The Nets are 26th in the league with a defensive rating of 117.6   In the 16 games before Wednesday’s game against Denver, the Celtics were 3rd in the league on defense.  Whether it was fatigue or the altitude, the Celtics let their defense slip in the second half.  They must get back to playing tough lock down defense once again in this game to give themselves the best chance of winning.

Rebound – Rebounding is also an important key to winning every game. The Celtics are 5th in the league, pulling down 46.0 rebounds per game. The Nets are 30th with 40.3 rebounds per game. It is important for the Celtics to rebound the ball to give themselves extra possessions and to prevent the Nets from getting the same along with 2nd chance points. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics have got to put out more effort than the Nets to grab rebounds for all 4 quarters.

Don’t Underestimate – The Celtics need to stay focused and be aggressive from start to finish. The Nets have not been playing well, but they play hard and will always try to beat the Celtics.  The Celtics did underestimate them in their last meeting in Boston and ended up losing.  The Nets also took the Celtics to overtime in their last game.  The Celtics can’t underestimate them because they have lost 8 of their last 10 games. The Celtics should have the talent to win easily, but if they underestimate the Nets and come out with less than 100% effort, they may be surprised with another loss to them.   

Effort and Focus
–  The Celtics have to put out more effort in this game than the Nets.  They also have to stay focused on taking good shots and making them.  In the 2nd half against the Nuggets, whether it was the altitude or fatigue from playing in 3 games in 4 nights in 4 different cities, they lost focus and turned the ball over and had one of their worst shooting games of the season.  Hopefully they can shake that off and come out strong in this game and play with effort and stay focused. 

X-Factors
Home Game –   The  Celtics need to feed off the energy of the crowd and hopefully, the Nets will be distracted by travel and the very loud crowd.   The Celtics need to take losing on their home court personally and make home court advantage a strength.  The first game at home after a long road trip is usually a tough one due to fatigue and jet lag.  The Celtics have to shake that off and come out and play hard and take motivation from the crowd and get a win in this one. 

Officiating – The officiating is always an x-factor.  Some referees call the game tight and others let them play.  Some favor the home team and others call it evenly.  Some refs just seem to have an agenda that doesn’t fit the events on the court.  At times they miss important calls that change the momentum of the game.  The Celtics need to play well enough not to leave the game in the hands of the officials at the end and they can’t let bad calls take away from their focus.