Around the NBA 12/24: Things Celtics fans should know from last night


While the Celtics took care of business on the road against the Hornets, there were 24 other NBA teams in action last night. Here are 13 things you should know:

2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH

1. The battle of the draft picks ended with a Nets overtime loss to the Mavericks, which moved them to 8-21 on the season. Combined with the Pelicans win over the Blazers by 26 points, Brooklyn now holds their largest lead for the third worst record in the NBA since the early this season: 1.5 games. Also, with the Lakers loss to the Thunder, the Nets remain three games away from having the second worst record.   The Celtics own the Nets 2016 first-round draft pick.

2. The Timberwolves continued their home struggles in a 25-point loss to the Spurs last night. They are now 11-18, but remain only two back of the eighth-seeded Jazz. Minnesota will convey their first-round pick to the Celtics only if it falls between 13-30.  If Minnesota's pick falls between 1-12, they will instead convey their second-round picks in 2016 and 2017. If the season ended today, they would be projected to receive the fifth pick in the NBA draft and this pick would NOT be conveyed.

3. As referenced above, the Mavericks defeated the Nets, which moved them to 16-13 on the season. With the win, they are tied with the Clippers for the fourth seed in the West, but are only four games ahead of the team in ninth place and being out of the playoffs entirely, which would put them in the lottery. Dallas will convey their first-round pick to the Celtics only if it falls between 8-30.  If Dallas' pick falls between 1-7, the conditional 2016 pick will become a 2017 first-round pick with the same conditions. If the season were to end today, they would be projected to receive the 18th or 19th pick in the draft and this pick would be conveyed.

ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS WATCH

4. The Celtics defeated the Hornets 102-89.

5. The Nets lost to the Mavericks 119-118.

6. The Knicks lost to the Cavaliers 91-84.

7. The 76ers lost to the Bucks 113-100 to move to 1-30 overall and 0-18 on the road.

Atlantic Division as of 12/24
Toronto 18-12
Boston 16-13 (1.5 GB)
New York 14-16
Brooklyn 8-21
Philadelphia 1-30


PLAYOFF STANDING WATCH

8. The Celtics beat the Hornets; Pacers lost to the Kings; Cavaliers beat the Knicks; Magic beat the Rockets; and Hawks beat the Pistons.  Notable change: Orlando went from the eighth seed to the fifth seed with their win.

Eastern Conference Standings as of 12/24
1. Cavaliers 19-7
Hawks 19-12
Raptors 18-12
Heat 16-11
Magic 17-12
Bulls 15-11
Pacers 16-12
8. Pistons 17-13
Celtics 16-13
Hornets 15-13

FORMER CELTICS

9. Rajon Rondo played 37 minutes in the Kings win over the Pacers last night. He finished with 13 points, 16 assists, 9 turnovers and 8 rebounds. Likely a result of his turnovers, as well as Darren Collison’s 24-point effort, Sacramento was minus-7 with Rondo on the floor and plus-9 with him off.

10. Jeff Green started and played 38 minutes in the Grizzlies loss to the Wizards last night. He went 8-14 from the field and finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Tony Allen played 22 minutes off the bench and finished with 5 points, 1 assist, 3 turnovers, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.

11. Marcus Thornton played 18 minutes off the bench in the Rockets loss to the Magic. He finished with 8 points, 2 assists and 2 rebounds.

12. Kevin Garnett returned to action last night, starting and playing 11 minutes in the Timberwolves loss to the Spurs. He finished with 4 points, 1 rebound and 1 steal.

13. Brandon Bass played 16 productive minutes off the bench last night in the Lakers loss to the Thunder. He finished plus-14 in a game they lost by 35 points, with 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist.

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT?

No games scheduled.

Follow Max Sandgrund on Twitter @SotoSpeakz