The Brooklyn Nets are on a roll after a slow start this season, but their current streak is expected to be overshadowed when they face the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden in Boston.
Sunday night's showdown will mark the much-awaited comeback of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to Boston since the blockbuster trade that sent the two veterans to Brooklyn Nets on draft night.
Pierce spent his first 15 seasons in the league in Boston with six of those seasons playing alongside Garnett, leading the Celtics to a successful championship run in 2008 together with sharp-shooting veteran Ray Allen.
Both players, who are considered as two of the greatest players to wear the Boston Celtics jersey all-time, are expected to be honored before the game, and Pierce is expecting an emotional return to his old home.
"It's going to be a lot of emotions. You play your whole life there. You won a championship there. The first time coming to the building as a visitor, I never thought it would happen," Pierce said.
Garnett echoed the same statement, saying that their upcoming game against his old team and playing against former teammates like Rajon Rondo will be full of emotions, but the veteran power forward vowed to remain focus in helping the Nets win.
Also Read: Latest Trade Rumors Involving Rajon Rondo.
"I'm sure the emotions are going to be very high and I'll react accordingly, but we're there to win a game and I hope this doesn't overshadow the game," Garnett said. "It'll be good to see Rondo and some other personal friends that, obviously, don't play. Other than that, it's another game that I've got to be prepared for."
Pierce, Garnett, and the Nets are slowly showing why they were considered as one of the title contenders heading into the season.
The Nets started the season with a measly 10-21 record, but they have won in nine of their last 10 games, including a hard-earned 107-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in Brooklyn.
The Celtics, on the other hand, are on a downward spiral. The rebuilding squad dropped 12 of their last 15 games with their latest defeat coming against defending champions Miami Heat, 93-86, on Tuesday.
Betting Odds, Live Stream, And Highlights
Due to their recent streak, the Nets are currently listed as four-point favorites, while the total is set at 191.5 points.
Nets vs. Celtics live stream along with other games today are available through NBA League Pass, while the highlights will be available here.
