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Celtics aim to climb above .500, host Nets

Mar 2, 2012 - 3:53 PM (Sports Network) - It's anyone's guess if the latest rumor is true that the Boston Celtics are shopping point guard Rajon Rondo.

Either way the show must go on for a Celtics team aiming for a third straight win tonight against the New Jersey Nets in the continuation of a four-game homestand at TD Garden. The Celtics have won two in a row since a five-game skid and opened the residency with a 102-96 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Rondo had a triple-double with 5 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and has been the subject of trade rumors because of his alleged relationship with head coach Doc Rivers and upper management. Kevin Garnett scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Boston, which is 12-8 in Beantown and tied with New York at three games off Philadelphia's pace in the Atlantic Division.

"Even though we had 50 points (in the first half) it was almost happenstance. We had a couple of threes at the end," said Rivers. "It just looked organized and good (in the second half) and I thought it was Rondo's doing."

Rivers' bunch will also welcome the Knicks and Rockets to town on this current homestand.

New Jersey will resume a four-game road trip tonight that started with an improbable 93-92 win at Dallas on Tuesday.

Brook Lopez pumped in 38 points and sank the eventual game-winning free throw for the Nets, who have won three in a row on the road and are 8-12 away from Newark, NJ this season. Anthony Morrow scored 15 points, All-Star Deron Williams provided 12 points and 12 assists and Kris Humphries ended with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

"He carried us from the start of the game," Williams said of Lopez. "I've said it all season, once we get him back we become a different team and you saw that a lot tonight."

The Nets have alternated wins and losses over their last six games and are scheduled to visit Charlotte and Miami on the current trek. Humphries (calf) and Williams (foot) are probable for tonight and reserve guard Jordan Farmar is listed as questionable because of a groin strain.

New Jersey suffered an 89-70 loss at Boston back on Jan. 4 this season and got a team-high 17 points from MarShon Brooks. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 24 points in that one, as Boston prevailed for the 17th time in the past 20 matchups with the Nets.

The Nets, who sit last in the Atlantic Division, have lost three in a row and eight of nine games in Beantown.