BOSTON –—Kyrie Irving scored 37 points with eight assists, and Kevin Durant added 29 points helping Brooklyn on their way to a 123-95 victory over the Celtics.
Irving’s return to Boston on Friday went well. He was 7 of 10 from 3-point range in his first regular-season game at TD Garden.
“We’re going to continue to see them. We’re in the same division,” Irving said, adding that there was “nothing added” to his motivation in playing his former team.
Jaylen scored 27 points and eight rebounds for the Celtics, Jayson Tatum added 20 point and eight rebounds but came up short against the Nets but don’t expect Boston to go away quietly as they except be a title contender along with Brooklyn.
On Wednesday, Tatum hit the last-second shot over Giannis Antetokounmpo to win the game.
“The benefit of playing these two games against two other great teams is that it forces you to be better,” Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. “It tests you to see where you’re at, it sets the bar, and now you know what you have to strive for.”
The game began after a moment of silence for former Celtics player and coach K.C. Jones, who died earlier Friday.
Durant went off in the third quarter scoring 16 points as the Nets outscored Boston 35-23 to lead 86-77.
“It’s still impressive to watch after all these years,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “For him to have little runs like that is nothing in his mind. For mere mortals in the NBA, it’s impossible to think of.”
UP NEXT Nets: Visit the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday.
Celtics: Head to Indiana for games against the Pacers on Sunday and Tuesday.
