What to KnowThe Celtics are 1-1 in 2025 NBA Cup Group B play, along with a minus-12 point differential. The Celtics (8-7) are over .500 for the first time all season.The Nets (2-12) have lost five of their last six games.The Celtics beat the Nets 113-99 in Brooklyn on Tuesday.A win by a large margin is needed for Boston to really improve its chances of reaching the knockout stage of the NBA Cup.
The Boston Celtics resume their 2025 NBA Cup competition Friday night against the Brooklyn Nets, and there’s a clear objective for the home team at TD Garden.
Given the Celtics’ place in the Group B standings — third-place with a 1-1 record and a minus-12 point differential — they not only need to beat the Nets, they need a substantial margin of victory. Point differential is the second tiebreaker in group play after head-to-head record, and the Celtics trail the first-place Pistons (plus-27) and second-place Magic (plus-20) by a wide amount in that category.
Luckily for the Celtics, the Nets are one of the league’s worst teams with only two wins in their first 14 games. The C’s also beat the Nets 113-99 in Brooklyn this past Tuesday.
Can the Celtics get back on track in NBA Cup play?
Follow our Celtics-Nets live blog below for highlights, analysis, updates and more from this matchup.