The Boston Celtics rallied from down 17 to take a commanding 2-0 lead towards the Brooklyn Nets within the first spherical of the Jap Convention Playoffs with the 114-107 win. Jaylen Brown sparked within the fourth quarter to push the Celtics forward for good, ending with 22 factors. 7 gamers scored in double figures for the Celtics. Kevin “gained’t shoot 9-for-24 once more” Durant scored 27 factors on 4-for-17 capturing with 6 turnovers.
This recreation was actually, actually bizarre. It opened up on a 9-0 Bruce Brown run, and the primary quarter ended on a 9-0 Grant Williams run. Someplace within the second quarter, there was a 6-0 Marcus Sensible run. The primary two video games of this collection have been a number of the worst the Boston Celtics have seemed offensively because the commerce deadline, however their protection has made the Brooklyn Nets look out of types all collection as nicely.
Brooklyn was way more efficient on the glass tonight, which helped the Nets keep in command for a lot of the primary half. Boston didn’t do itself any favors with all the turnovers, and with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum beginning the sport off tremendous chilly from the ground, it was onerous to ascertain any kind of offensive rhythm.
Goran Dragic is killing Boston in his minutes to date this collection. I by no means thought I’d be so glad to listen to that Dragic is in foul hassle in 2022. Fortunately, his influence was muted within the second half.
Talking of muted, has anybody heard from Kyrie Irving? I’m undecided he performed tonight (10 factors, 4-for-13 capturing, 0 fourth-quarter influence.)
Celtics followers collectively ought to ship a present card to Nic Claxton for incomes a double-foul with Jayson Tatum (19 factors, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) within the closing moments of the second quarter. That woke Tatum up for a fast 5-0 run. For what ought to have been a 17-20 level deficit on the half, the Celtics closed the quarter robust, reducing the result in simply 10 earlier than going again to the locker room.
This recreation actually was a battle between position gamers. Kyrie Irving’s performed considerably worse than the primary recreation, and Kevin Durant performed higher than his Sport 1 dud. The distinction got here when Bruce Brown obtained off to a powerful begin after which Goran Dragic scored 16 first half factors, giving the pair 30 between the 2 of them within the opening 24 minutes. For the Celtics, Al Horford (16 factors, 6 rebounds) continued being the largest physique within the paint and a steadying presence, whereas Daniel Theis (15 factors, 6 rebounds) and Grant Williams (17 factors, finest profession playoff recreation) took turns getting the Celtics simple buckets when nothing got here simple.
Brad Stevens higher be getting Govt of the 12 months for the Al Horford commerce. He’s been instrumental this entire collection to date, however he was significantly useful early within the third as he sparked a Celtic run that pushed Boston all the best way to tying the sport halfway via the interval even after Horford picked up his fourth foul and wanted to sub out.
It was mentioned many occasions that we will’t count on Kevin Durant to proceed capturing as poorly as he did in his 9-for-24 Sport 1 efficiency, however he continued to battle to ranges unseen from him since Tony Allen was within the league.
The second half featured extra of Boston doing good issues offensively, however none of it got here simple. Seth Curry (16 factors) out-performed Kyrie Irving, however it was a aid to not should cope with each of them being on.
When the fourth quarter lights turned on, Jaylen Brown snapped out of his funk for the second recreation in a row. He was ELECTRIC, scoring inside, exterior, and making the precise play just about each journey down. The Nets had been UNDER the jail to start out the fourth quarter, capturing solely 2/12 by the midway mark of the quarter as Boston went on a 15-2 run behind Jaylen Brown and checks notes Payton Pritchard (10 factors on 5-7 capturing).
This shot is the place I personally misplaced it:
Some grifting down the stretch later, and Boston took management on the freethrow line as Kevin Durant teetered on the road of fouling out. Boston was the extra bodily workforce as Durant bricked fadeaway jumpshot after fadeaway jumpshot. Boston’s shot-making means spiked within the closing a part of the sport, with Jayson Tatum taking up with a dizzying array of strikes to punish smaller gamers guarding him.
Brown, Sensible and Pritchard took turns twisting the dagger into the flesh of the Nets, and that was all she wrote. 14 wins left for Banner 18.
No matter it’s you do to rejoice, do this tonight. This 12 months’s Celtics deserve it.
The Celtics personal a 2-0 lead over the Brooklyn Nets heading into Saturday evening’s Sport 3 in Brooklyn.
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For extra postgame protection of the Boston taking a 2-0 lead within the collection, tune into the the Backyard Report Postgame Present LIVE on https://www.clnsmedia.com/ proper after the sport. Be a part of A Sherrod Blakely, Bobby Manning, Josue Pavon, Jimmy Toscano and host John Zannis for a full breakdown. Plus, the fellows will talk about how Grant Williams stepped as much as save the day.
