Nets vs Celtics Tonight: Live Stream, TV Channel & Key Storylines as Brooklyn Hunts Statement Win

All eyes turn to TD Garden tonight as the Boston Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets in a pivotal Atlantic Division clash that could reshape each team’s trajectory in the closing stretch of the 2025-26 NBA season. Boston (38-20) enters the matchup sitting second in the East and hungry to rebound after a tough West-coast loss in Denver, while Brooklyn (15-43) is desperate to snap a six-game skid and claw back some momentum on the road. Why this Nets vs Celtics game matters • Playoff positioning: The Celtics are just 1.5 games behind New York for first place in the Atlantic and cannot afford a home stumble with Milwaukee and Philadelphia looming on the schedule. • Draft implications: Every Nets result swings lottery odds; beating a contender would be a morale jolt for Jacque Vaughn’s young roster. • Season series: Boston leads 2-1, but the Nets stole the last meeting in double-overtime, 130-126, proving they can test the Celtics when their three-point rhythm clicks. Key storylines to watch 1. Jaylen Brown’s scoring binge – With Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined until next week, Brown (29.1 ppg) shoulders the offensive load and draws a favorable matchup against Brooklyn’s undersized wings. 2. Michael Porter Jr. vs. Derrick White – Porter leads Brooklyn at 24.6 ppg, but White’s perimeter defense and steady 5.7 apg will set the Celtics’ tone at both ends. 3. Battle on the glass – The Celtics average 46 rebounds per game to the Nets’ 40.4; Neemias Queta’s emerging presence could punish a Brooklyn frontcourt still figuring out rotations. Projected starting lineups • Nets: Cam Thomas, Dennis Schröder, Michael Porter Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Nic Claxton • Celtics: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Neemias Queta Injury report Boston: Jayson Tatum (Achilles) OUT, Kristaps Porziņģis (knee) QUESTIONABLE Brooklyn: Ben Simmons (back) OUT, Day’Ron Sharpe (ankle) DOUBTFUL How to watch & live stream Tip-off: 7:30 p.m. ET, Friday, Feb 27 TV: YES Network (NY), NBC Sports Boston Streaming: NBA League Pass, regional RSN apps Betting odds (DraftKings): Celtics -16.5; O/U 207.5. Boston is 18-9 at home, while Brooklyn is 7-22 away, so oddsmakers see a potential blowout, yet the Nets’ last TD Garden visit ended in an eight-point upset—caution for bettors eyeing the spread. Bottom line If Brown and Holiday set the defensive edge early, Boston should cruise, but a hot perimeter night from Cam Thomas and Porter could turn Nets vs Celtics into another late-game thriller. Either way, expect high-tempo offense, plenty of three-point fireworks, and playoff-level intensity in Beantown tonight.