It's not often in the NBA that a team gets an immediate chance for payback, but the Nets have that opportunity Friday afternoon at Barclays Center when they get a rematch with the Celtics less than 48 hours after their 121-110 loss Wednesday in Boston. Coach Kenny Atkinson likened it to a playoff series, which could happen next spring if injured point guard Kyrie Irving and the rest of the short-handed Nets can get healthy.
"I love these because you really get to look at the team," Atkinson said of the rematch. "It's almost like a mini-playoff. I wish we had a practice. But you can make adjustments, see where you can make some changes. I always like this type of mini-series."
The Nets had no scheduled practice on the Thanksgiving holiday Thursday after playing three games in the previous four nights. Atkinson said Irving remains day-to-day with a right shoulder impingement, DeAndre Jordan (left ankle soreness) is in the same category, and Caris LeVert (right thumb surgery) is out for several more weeks.
