Around the NBA 12/30: Six things Celtics fans should know from last night, including Ben Simmons' return to action
There were 10 NBA teams in action last night, as well as Ben Simmons and the LSU Tigers. Here are 6 things you should know:
2016 DRAFT PICK WATCH
No games scheduled.
ATLANTIC DIVISION STANDINGS WATCH
1. The Knicks beat the Pistons 108-96.
Atlantic Division as of 12/30
Toronto 19-13
Boston 18-13 (0.5 GB)
New York 15-18
Brooklyn 9-22
Philadelphia 2-31
PLAYOFF STANDING WATCH
2. WINNERS: Hawks and Cavaliers
3. LOSERS: Heat and Pistons.
4. Changes: The Celtics moved into the sixth seed with the Heat loss. They are a half-game back of the third-seeded Pacers and merely percentage points of the fifth-seeded Bulls. Since the Pacers and Bulls play each other tonight, Boston will overtake one of those teams as long as they beat the Lakers.
Eastern Conference Standings as of 12/30
1. Cavaliers 21-9
2. Hawks 21-13
3. Pacers 18-12
4. Raptors 19-13
5. Bulls 17-12
6. Celtics 18-13
7. Magic 18-13
8. Heat 18-13
Hornets 17-13
Pistons 17-15
FORMER CELTICS
5. Jeff Green played 38 minutes in the Grizzlies overtime win over the Heat last night and finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Tony Allen played 36 minutes off the bench and finished with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists.
BEN SIMMONS UPDATE
6. After a long layoff, LSU was back in action last night against Wake Forest. This was their fourth game against a quality opponent. They had lost the first three, but were likely confident heading into this one given the fact it was at home, where they were 7-0 on the season. However, LSU ultimately squandered a late lead and lost 77-71. Simmons played 37 minutes and finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 turnovers, 2 blocks, 1 steal and 4 fouls.
WHAT'S ON TONIGHT?
Lakers @ Celtics
Clippers @ Hornets
Wizards @ Raptors
Nets @ Magic
Pacers @ Bulls
Jazz @ Timberwolves
Warriors @ Mavericks
76ers @ Kings
Photo Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images
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