BROOKLYN, N.Y.- The race to the playoffs have begun for both the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets as both started their second half of the season with a meeting in Brooklyn on Thursday night.
Brooklyn currently holds the second play-in spot in the Eastern Conference, looking to work their way back up into the set playoff field.
Injuries have changed the narrative for the Nets, and the Celtics showed no mercy to the battered Brooklyn squad, running up the 129-106 final score.
Just before the All-Star break, Boston had won 9 out of their last 10 games. They carried that momentum into Thursday night’s matchup. Everything clicked for the Celtics on the offensive and defensive side early in the game. In the first quarter, they started strong, scoring 35 points on 17 field goal attempts.
Fresh off starting the All-Star game for Team Durant, Celtics’ forward Jayson Tatum scored 30 points with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Jaylen Brown finished with 18 points with 6 assists.
The dynamic duo combined for 48 points while the Celtics team was dominant overall. All five starters finished with double-digit point totals. Robert Williams III finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Boston’s Success in Brooklyn
Brooklyn has become the Celtics’ home away from home. Boston is 15-15 on the road, but returned to Brooklyn for the first time since their February 8 visit. In that game, Boston started with a 28-2 lead in the first quarter.
From the field, Boston shot 54% (46-85) compared to the Nets’ 42% (39-94). The Celtics shot weel from three-point range as well; Marcus Smart was a factor, scoring 15 points with all 5 of his field goals coming from long range. He also picked up 6 assists along the way.
The team shot 41% (17-42) compared to Brooklyn’s 24% (7-29) from three-point range.
Looking Ahead for Brooklyn
Seth Curry led the Nets in scoring with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 assist as he waits for the return of his injured teammates.
There is no denying that when healthy, the Brooklyn Nets are as talented as anyone. As they await for the return of Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons, and potentially Kyrie Irving to play full time, the Nets will need some other players to step up. They currently sit in 8th place and if the season ended today, they would take part in the play-in tournament; far from the spot they expected to be in once the season started.
Up Next
The Boston Celtics travel to Detroit to face the Detroit Pistons on February 26, 12:00 PM EST.
The Brooklyn Nets travel to face the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on February 26, 8:30 PM EST.
