Around the NBA 1/16: 9 things Celtics fans should know from last night


As the Celtics were busy extending their win streak to two games last night, there were 16 other NBA teams in action. Here are 9 things you should know:

2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH

1. The Nets (11-29) lost to the Blazers at home last night. They have the third-worst record in the NBA. The Celtics own the Nets unconditional first-round draft pick. As of today, the bottom of the league standings are as follows:

6. Pelicans 13-26
5. Suns 13-28
4. Timberwolves 12-29
3. Nets 11-29
2. Lakers 9-32
1. 76ers 4-37


2. The Celtics (21-19) beat the Suns last night. With the win, they moved back into the playoffs as the eighth seed and moved back three draft slots from 14th to 17th. As of today, Boston is projected to receive the following picks: 3, 17, 21, 31, 34, 48, 52, 58.

3. The Mavericks (23-18) beat the Bulls on the road last night. They extended their lead over the Grizzlies for the fifth seed in the West to a full game. 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 21st pick in the draft.

ATLANTIC DIVISION WATCH

4. The Celtics beat the Suns 117-103.
5. The Nets lost to the Blazers 116-104.

Atlantic Division Standings as of 1/16
Toronto 25-15
Boston 21-19
New York 20-21
Brooklyn 11-29
Philadelphia 4-37

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS WATCH

6. Winners: Celtics, Wizards, Heat and Cavaliers
7. Losers: Hawks, Bulls and Pacers
8. Notable Change: The Celtics are back in the eighth seed. With the two teams directly in front of them both losing two in a row, Boston is now only one game back of the sixth seed. They lead the Magic by a half-game and the Wizards, who they play tonight, by one game.

Eastern Conference Standings as of 1/16
1. Cavaliers 28-10
2. Raptors 25-15
3. Bulls 23-16
4. Hawks 23-17
5. Heat 23-17
6. Pacers 22-18
7. Pistons 21-18
8. Celtics 21-19
9. Magic 20-19
10. Wizards 19-19

FORMER CELTICS

9. Kevin Garnett played 10 minutes in the Timberwolves loss to the Thunder last night. He went 1-5 from the field and finished with 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist.

WHAT'S ON TONIGHT?

Celtics @ Wizards
Nets @ Hawks
Warriors @ Pistons
Knicks @ Grizzlies
Blazers @ 76ers
Kings @ Clippers
Lakers @ Jazz

Follow Max Sandgrund on Twitter @SotoSpeakz