Celtics Host Nets Without Brown And Tatum On March 18

The Boston Celtics are set to host the Brooklyn Nets for their second consecutive meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at TD Garden. Having won their last two games against the Miami Heat and the Nets, the Celtics are doing their best to solidify their position as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Nets, on the other hand, are facing difficulties and appear to be dropping out of contention for the Play-In Tournament, turning their focus toward securing a favorable lottery position for potential draft pick Cooper Flagg.

Despite the Celtics' positive momentum, they will have to navigate their upcoming match without star player Jaylen Brown, who has been ruled out due to a right knee posterior impingement. Brown was questionable to return during the previous game against the Nets, where he logged just 24 minutes, contributing eight points, six rebounds, and three assists before being sidelined. The Celtics won the match on March 15, edging the Nets 115-113.

Compounding the Celtics' challenges is the status of Jayson Tatum, who is questionable heading to Tuesday's game due to right knee tendinopathy. Tatum played through pain earlier this season but has faced criticism for not resting sufficiently. "I understand the balance of being fresh and stuff, ready for hopefully a long playoff run," Tatum told reporters recently, highlighting the tension between his desire to compete and the team's interest in preserving his health for the playoffs.

The Boston lineup is expected to feature Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford alongside rookie standout Kristaps Porzingis, who returned from illness, and Sam Hauser. The projected starters for the Nets include D’Angelo Russell, Keon Johnson, and Cameron Johnson, along with Jalen Wilson and Day’Ron Sharpe.

On the injury front for the Nets, Cam Thomas has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to hamstring injuries, joining De'Anthony Melton, who is recovering from an ACL injury. Players Ziaire Williams and Noah Clowney are both probable to play against the Celtics, working their way back from Achilles and ankle issues, respectively.

With the game scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, it promises to be interesting, not just because of the fight for playoff positioning but also due to its historic broadcast, featuring the second all-female crew for a Celtics game.

Predictions surrounding the matchup suggest the Celtics hold significant advantages. According to Dimers' predictive model, the Celtics enter the game with an 86% chance of winning compared to the Nets' 14%. The expected final score is projected at 114-101, indicating confidence among analysts about the Celtics' potential dominance.

"Our team has analyzed the latest data and conducted 10,000 simulations for Tuesday's Brooklyn-Boston game," stated Damien Souness from Dimers, reaffirming the Celtics' likelihood of victory. The Nets will try to find their footing with players like Cameron Johnson expected to lead their scoring efforts.

The Celtics have shown resilience through the season's injury challenges, maintaining their place near the top of the Eastern Conference leaderboard. While this upcoming bout presents another opportunity to secure important victories, they face pressure to perform well amid player health concerns. Following the Nets game, Boston embarks on a six-game road trip, and having Tatum healthy will be imperative for the playoffs.

Fans can watch the game live on NBA TV, or stream it via Fubo, as the Celtics look to extend their winning streak to three games and push for their eighth win out of the last nine.

With hopes for playoff success rising, the Celtics will aim to showcase their depth and skill on Tuesday night, just as much as they are learning to navigate the intense atmosphere of playoff races and the importance of managing key player injuries.