The schedule manufacturers were kind to the Brooklyn Nets (42-31) in April. The Netsa remaining eight competitors have a combined record of 268-379 (thatas a percentage of.414.). This is good news for a group thatas performed exceedingly well against sub-.500 opposition. Brooklyn is 26-4 against groups (at time of sport played). It'll be important for the Nets to continue to take care of business down the stretch. With only eight games remaining, instructor P.J. Carlesimoas team trails the crosstown rival Ny Knicks by four games in the Atlantic Division. All nine of Brooklynas April competitions are against competitors from the Eastern Conference. Three that are must-watch matchups with the playoff-bound Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers. A long way will be gone by the outcome of these three marquee tilts toward determining the ultimate playoff seeding. The Bulls, Nets and Celtics are separated by simply three-and-a-half games. The Netsa other six April competitors are a mixed 145-287 (.369). But Deron Williams and organization canat afford to forget the pesky Philadelphia 76ers and Washington Wizards. Washington and Philly have underachieved this year, but both have enough expertise to offer some problems to the Nets. 5. vs. California Wizards (Monday, April 15, 7:30 p.m. EDT) Joe Johnson hit a jump shot in Washington on Jan. 4.Rob Carr/Getty Images The Nets lock horns with the Wizards for the final and fourth time at the Barclays Center on April 15. Brooklyn will be fortunate enough to host two attic residents in the Wizards and Detroit Pistons to finish the normal time. Washington, nevertheless, gave some trouble to the Nets in two of these three previous conferences. It took a Johnson buzzer-beater and two overtime intervals to vanquish the Wiz in the nationas capital on Jan. 4. On Feb. 8, the Nets fell at Washington 89-74 and then got revenge 95-78 in Brooklyn thanks to a record-setting performance by celebrity level guard Deron Williams. A healthy John Wall has been the big difference for the Wizards. California went 21-18 considering that the operation level guard returned from injury on Jan. 12. Without Wall, Washington was 5-28. When the Wizards defeat the Nets on Feb. 8, he dished out nine and scored 15 factors assists. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Wall will be in the collection on April 15 in Brooklyn, and it will be up to D-Will to shut him down. PREDICTION: Nets 98-90 4. Compared to. Philadelphia 76ers (Tuesday, April 9, 7:30 p.m. EDT) Jrue Holiday and the Sixers have played Brooklyn difficult this season.Bruce Bennett/Getty Pictures The Nets will seek payoff contrary to the lowly Philadelphia 76ers on April 9. Like the Wizards, the Sixers have played hard against Brooklyn this year. On Dec. 23, the Nets staved off a eight-point comeback in the last 40.5 seconds and held on for a 95-92 gain. On Jan. 8, the Nets crushed the Sixers 109-89 and then experienced a discouraging 106-97 loss in Philadelphia on March 11. The past year has been a disaster for the Sixers. Adhering to a period in which they got the Celtics to eight games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philly moved 29-43 and can miss the playoffs. That'll happen once you trade away your very best defensive player and sign a center with two bad legs to a, $17 million deal. But some items from last yearas playoff group remain, and theyall be determined to even up the growing season series with their team competitor. Young stars Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young are far more than with the capacity of spoiling the Netsa chances at a top-three seed. PREDICTION: Nets 102-98 3. at Boston Celtics (Wednesday, April 10, 8 p.m. EDT) The Nets and Celtics last met on Xmas Day.Mike Stobe/Getty Pictures Itas been over 3 months considering that the Nets and Celtics have clashed on the wood. Boston smashed Brooklyn 93-76 on Christmas Day, but a whole lot has changed since that time. The Celtics no longer have their All-Star point guard and the Nets have an alternative head coach. His ACL was torn by rajon Rondo on Jan. 25, forcing the Celtics to perform the others of the growing season without their superstar. The Nets, meanwhile, fired mind instructor Avery Johnson on Dec. 27. It'll be Avery Bradley running the point for the Celtics and interim instructor P.J, when the Atlantic Division opponents meet on April 10. Carlesimo patrolling the sideline for the Nets. The Celtics are placed seventh in the Eastern Conference and currently remain four games behind the fourth-ranked Nets. They're three games ahead of the eighth-ranked Milwaukee Bucks. Itas essential the Celtics keep ahead of the Bucks because the eighth-seeded team in the East will be forced to play the vaunted Miami Heat in a first-round series. Depending on how things play out over the a few weeks, this could be an incredibly essential sport for both the Nets and Celtics. Fortunately for supporters without NBA League Pass or the YES Network, it'll be nationally televised on ESPN. PREDICTION: Celtics 88-85 2. Compared to. Chicago Bulls (Thursday, April 4, 7 p.m. EDT) Joakim Noah has been a game issue for the Nets.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images The Nets can look to even up their season series with the Bulls on April 4. In the very first three conferences, the teams could actually protect their home court. The Nets beat the Bulls at the Barclays Center 93-89 on Feb. 1, and Chicago took the two games at the United Focus on Dec. 15 and March 2. This game will surely have playoff benefits. The Bulls currently rank sixth in the Eastern Conference, just two games behind the Nets. But if a romantic date with the Heat awaits the winner of the first-round matchup between the fourth and fifth seeds, could it be better to finish whilst the sixth or seventh seed? Itas an appealing question that can definitely affect the way playoff-bound teams in the Eastern Conference strategy certain matchups in the closing month of the year. One factor that will definitely affect the outcome with this competition will be the health of Bulls center Joakim Noah. Noah is a huge Nets killer in 2013. He accounted for 33 points, 20 boards and six blocks in the Dec. 15 and March 2 Bulls wins. Heas missed the last four games while battling plantar fasciitis, and itas unclear when heall go back to the choice. PREDICTION: Nets 85-78 1. at Indiana Pacers (Friday, April 12, 7 p.m. EDT) The Nets are 2-0 contrary to the Pacers.Bruce Bennett/Getty Pictures The Pacers are the biggest obstacle remaining on the Nets' plan. But Brooklyn has had Indianaas amount in 2013. The Nets bested the Pacers at home 97-86 on Jan. 13 and fled Indianapolis by having an 89-84 overtime win on Feb. 11. At 46-27, the Pacers are tied with New York for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. Theyare young, talented and play suffocating defense. Itas difficult to overcome the Pacers, particularly at Bankers Life Fieldhouse where theyare an extraordinary 29-8. This is a huge check for the Nets. If theyare able to escape with a gain, it'll be considered a huge confidence enhancement entering the postseason. PREDICTION: Pacers 86-80 For more Brooklyn Nets investigation, follow Andrew on Twitter: Start Slideshow Props (0) What's the repeat article? Why is this short article offensive? 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