A new-look Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics squads are set to clash at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday, Oct. 26 for their 2016-2017 NBA Season opening game.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru the NBA League Pass.
Preview
Brooklyn has made a host of veteran additions to the team during the summer as they welcome Jeremy Lin, Trevor Booker, Randy Foye, and Luis Scola to their side this season. Lin, Booker, and Foye are expected to be part of head coach Kenny Atkinson's starting unit while Scola will be a reliable frontcourt backup that can contribute on both ends of the floor.
Atkinson and Lin have a history together as the coach is reportedly the reason "Linsanity" was born in New York during the 2011-2012 season, as per Fansided. Atkinson was said to be the coach that "fought for Lin to be able to play" for Mike D'Antoni with the Knicks at that time. Lin even said earlier in the offseason that he "would not have come to Brooklyn if Atkinson were not here".
Lin brings a fresh start for the Nets and his pairing with center Brooklyn Lopez is the team's best weapon at the moment. Brooklyn lacks in overall depth despite the new additions and will need young players Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Caris LeVert, and Isaiah Whitehead to step up for the Nets to start going places.
One good news for the squad is they have nowhere to go but up after a dismal 21-61 record last season.
Meanwhile, the Celtics have become even stronger this year with the signing of Al Horford adding to the already strong core of Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, and Avery Bradley. Boston is a top defensive team already and with Horford, the team has gotten even better offensively.
With their further improvement, some analysts believe that head coach Brad Steven's team is the "biggest challenge" to the reigning NBA champions Cleveland Cavaliers for the Easter Conference title this season, via Basketball Insiders.
The bench is also stable for Boston with Marcus Smart, Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Zeller, Gerald Green, and rookie Jaylen Brown. Smart and starting power forward Jonas Jerebko are questionable for this game, though, due to injuries.
For Brooklyn, Foye and LeVert are out also because of injuries.
Prediction
A home win for the Celtics is predicted. The Nets can pull off a surprise, however, and Lin's all-around play will be the key for an upset.
