Around the NBA 11/3: Things Celtics fans should know from last night

Photo by Edwin Khu

Although the Boston Celtics were idle, there were 14 other NBA teams in action last night.   Here are 8 things you should know:

2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH

1. Despite having the luxury of home-court advantage, the Nets lost Monday night's battle of the winless against the Milwaukee Bucks 103-96.   I would usually like to describe how happy Celtics fans should feel after yet another Brooklyn loss, but allow me to bestow that honor upon Mr. Bill Simmons:



The Celtics own the Nets 2016 first-round draft pick.

2. In an emotional home opener, the Minnesota Timberwolves squandered a 13-point lead at the end of the first quarter, and ultimately fell to the Portland Blazers 106-101.   The Celtics will receive the Timberwolves 2016 first-round draft pick as long as it falls outside picks 1 through 12.

ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS WATCH

3. With the Spurs playing on an early season back-to-back, the Knicks had their best chance to knock San Antonio off at home.  However, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge were once again too much for a team to handle down the stretch, and New York lost 94-84.   They are now 2-2.

4. As referenced above, Brooklyn fell to the previously winless Bucks and are now 0-4.

5. Not to be outdone by the Nets, the 76ers also remained winless following a home loss to Lebron James and the Cavaliers 107-100.

FORMER CELTIC WATCH

6. Paul Pierce and the Los Angeles Clippers moved to 4-0 last night with a win at home over Phoenix. Pierce played 23 minutes, and finished with 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

7. Kevin Garnett was noticeably shaken at the start of last night's home opener versus the Blazers, as the Timberwolves organization played a pre-game tribute to the late Flip Saunders, who Garnett was particularly close with.  Over 17 minutes of action, he finished 0-3 from the field, with a team worst minus-10 for the game.

8. Jeff Green and Tony Allen were part of the Grizzlies 50-point loss last night to the Golden State Warriors.   Green played 20 minutes and went 1-8 from the field, while Allen played 12 minutes and went 0-6.   That was not a typo. Steph Curry and company beat Memphis 119-69.



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