Celtics’ Garnett plans to return next week

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Garnett is targeting early next week for his return from back spasms that have sidelined him for the past 16 games. Garnett plans to return against Philadelphia on Saturday, or for one of the Nets’ back-to-back games at Miami on April 8 or at Orlando the following night, according to Newsday.

The team also said forward Andrei Kirilenko may return midweek.

Brooklyn is 39-33 and holds the No. 5 spot in the Eastern Conference playoff spot, which would currently pit the Nets against the Chicago Bulls in the first round. They were 1 1/2 games behind Chicago and 1 1/2 games ahead of the Washington Wizards entering Monday night.