Around the NBA 1/13: 10 things Celtics fans should know from last night

As the Celtics were busy losing their fourth game in a row to the Knicks last night, there were 14 other teams in action. Here are 10 things you should know:

2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH

1. The Nets (10-28) were idle last night, but gained ground on the Lakers, who beat the Pelicans last night. They are now only two ahead of Los Angeles, including one in the win column. Brooklyn currently has the third-worst record in the NBA. The Celtics own the Nets unconditional first-round draft pick. Additionally, for all those people who are going to be disappointed if this pick does not turn into Ben Simmons, check out Today Fastbreak’s piece on Brandon Ingram (Duke). He is drawing comparisons to Kevin Durant. There is more in the draft than Simmons.

2. The Celtics (19-19) lost their fourth straight last night to the Knicks. With the loss, they are tied with New York for the 13th pick in the 2016 lottery. More importantly, they are only a game ahead of the Wizards, one-and-a-half of the Hornets and four of the Bucks, who beat Bulls last night, which means they are fairly to having their own pick be in the top 10. As of this morning, Boston is projected to receive the following picks in 2016: 3, 14, 20, 31, 35, 47, 51, 58.

3. The Mavericks (22-17) lost in overtime to the Cavaliers last night. They remain the fifth seed in the West and hold a one-and-a-half game lead over the Grizzlies for that spot. 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. This pick would be conveyed if the season ended today as they would be projected to receive the 20th pick in the draft. However, they are only two games ahead of the Rockets, who hold the 16th pick.

ATLANTIC DIVISION WATCH

4. The Celtics lost to the Knicks 120-114.

Atlantic Division Standings as of 1/13
Toronto 24-15
New York 20-20
Boston 19-19
Brooklyn 10-28
Philadelphia 4-36

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS WATCH

5. Winners: Knicks, Pacers and Cavaliers
6. Losers: Pistons, Celtics and Bulls

Eastern Conference Standings as of 1/13
1. Cavaliers 27-9
2. Raptors 24-15
3. Hawks 23-15
4. Bulls 22-15
5. Pacers 22-16
6. Heat 22-16
7. Pistons 21-17
8. Magic 20-18
9. Knicks 20-20
10. Celtics 19-19

FORMER CELTICS

7. Tony Allen and Jeff Green started in the Grizzlies loss to the Rockets last night. Green played 15 minutes and was benched in the second half by Dave Joerger. He finished with 3 points and 2 assists. Allen played 32 minutes and finished with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

8. Marcus Thornton scored 16 points in only 15 minutes as the Rockets beat the Grizzlies by 16 on the road last night.

9. Kevin Garnett started and played nine minutes in the Timberwolves loss to the Thunder last night. He finished with 0 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

10. Brandon Bass played 15 minutes in his return from an injury last night as the Lakers beat the Pelicans. Bass finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.

WHAT'S ON TONIGHT?

Pacers @ Celtics
Mississippi @ LSU and Ben Simmons
Hawks @ Hornets
Bucks @ Wizards
Knicks @ Nets
Timberwolves @ Rockets
Mavericks @ Thunder
Pelicans @ Kings
Heat @ Clippers

Follow Max Sandgrund on Twitter @SotoSpeakz