Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
BOSTON, MA- The Boston Celtics rallied from down 17 points and will advance to a 2-0 lead in the series after a 114-107 win against the Brooklyn Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets opened the game with a 9-0 run from Bruce Brown alone. Daniel Theis ended the run with a jumpshot to cut the Nets lead to seven points.
The Nets added to their lead and eventually took a 32-18 lead with 1:21 left in the quarter. That’s when Grant Williams made two-straight threes, and the Nets entered the second quarter with a 33-24 lead.
Williams opened up the second quarter with another 3-pointer to make it a six-point game. However, the Nets responded with a 7-2 run to take a 40-29 lead over Boston.
The Nets ran with their momentum and had a 14-point lead with 7:28 left in the first half. Brooklyn entered halftime with a 65-55 lead.
The Celtics made a quick comeback with a 15-5 run. The Celtics were down 72-70 with 7:39 left in the third quarter. The Nets maintained their lead and had a 90-85 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Celtics opened up the fourth quarter with a 14-2 run to take a 99-94 lead with 5:23 left in the game.
The Celtics offense continued to shine, as they outscored the Nets 29-17 in the fourth quarter to win the game.
Close Defensive battle
The Nets and Celtics played a tough defensive game against each other.
Despite Kevin Durant’s 27 points, he shot 4-of-17 (23.5%) from the field and 1-of-2 (50.0%) deep. Durant also led the Nets in turnovers with six.
Kyrie Irving also struggled as he scored 10 points while shooting 4-of-13 (30.8%) from the field and 0-of-1(0.0%)from beyond the arc.
Bruce Brown was Brooklyn’s bright spot with 23 points.
Brooklyn shot 35-of-76 (46.1%) from the field and 10-of-21 (47.6%) from downtown. They tied with the Celtics in rebounds with 36 rebounds.
Brooklyn will have to figure out a way to get Durant and Irvingsome open looks or their season will be on the brink of being over.
Brooklyn played great defensively against Jayson Tatum. He scored 19 points while shooting 5-of-16 (31.3%)from the field. Tatum did make up for his scoring with 10 assists.
The Nets also caused 14 Boston turnovers. However, Jaylen Brown carried the Celtics past Boston with 22 points.
Boston finished the game shooting 39-of-75 (52.0%) from the field and 11-of-31 (35.5%) from deep. They also had 27 assists.
Up Next
The Brooklyn Nets will host the Boston Celtics for game three of the first round on April 23, 7:30 p.m est.
