Last time the Celtics took on the New Jersey Nets, they were without Rajon Rondo, and they found a way to win anyway. Now it appears they’ll have to do it again.
Rondo is a last-minute scratch for the C’s in their Sunday afternoon tangle with the Nets down in Newark, taking the afternoon off to rest a hamstring that’s still bothering him. Nate Robinson will start in his place.
Nets point guard Devin Harris, meanwhile, will be back in the lineup Sunday, having taken only one game off to rest a strained knee. He’s a warrior.
The matchup between Harris and Robinson will be an exciting one. Neither is a pure point guard — both players can create their own shot at will, and neither is shy about doing so. Robinson has been a high-volume scorer in every game he’s started, including a 16-point quarter last month, and you can expect him to come out aggressive again.
Here’s how the lineups shake out for C’s-Nets:
Celtics
Nate Robinson, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Shaquille O’Neal, C
Nets
Devin Harris, PG
Anthony Morrow, SG
Travis Outlaw, SF
Kris Humphries, PF
Brook Lopez, C
