Celtics Bounce Back in Brooklyn
The Boston Celtics defeat the Brooklyn Nets 139-114 tonight in Brooklyn. The Celtics continue their streak of not losing back to back games since the 2023 Eastern Conference finals. Celtics came into this one after a poor performance against the Hawks last night in the first game of the NBA cup, but showed why they won the NBA title last season with their performance tonight. Al Horford took the night off for the C’s as it was the second half of a back to back, and because of his age, it is the best thing for him to do. The Nets were without Bojan Bogdanovic, Dorian Finney-Smith and Ben Simmons.
JT and JB realized they didn’t play up to their standards against the Hawks, as the two of them combined to give up 11 turnovers. Tonight, the two of them combined for 1 turnover, as the Celtics as a whole only had 7. JT was the player of the night for the Celtics providing 36 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists. He did this while shooting 63% from the field, and 5/6 from deep. This is when JT is at his best. Takes the 3 ball when it is given to him, or when he has a mismatch and can create the space he needs to. I know a lot of people love Tatum shooting the 3 at a high rate, but when he uses the spacing his teammates give him, he becomes his most effective. Especially in sets when he is the screener, catches the ball in space, and reacts to the defense and can playmake and score.
JB didn’t have a fluke performance against the Hawks, he picked up right where he left off, scoring 24 points, grabbing 12 boards and dishing 4 assists as well. He is back into his rhythm, which the Celtics desperately need in order to survive this long season. JB was much more aggressive than he was in previous games, getting to his spots, driving to the lane and finishing at the hole. He did also hit 2 3’s, and while the percentages might look down, he was much more efficient than the numbers might say because a lot of his shots were in the paint, and some of those shots were fouls that weren’t getting called.
The Stock Exchange was up, up, up tonight, as Jrue Holiday did Jrue Holiday things, scoring 16 points while also getting 3 steals, and a block. And Derrick White, who did not have a great first half after picking up 3 fouls, stepped up big in the second half, and had a huge block on Zaire Williams at the rim.
But it was Pro-Am P, Payton Pritchard off the bench who stepped up in a huge fashion for the Celtics. Pritchard finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists, shooting 62% from the field, and 5/8 from 3. He also got 2 steals and a block. It just felt like it was going to be his night, he didn’t play great against the Hawks last night, and made up for it tonight. When Payton gets going, there is very few things that can stop him.
While the score does scream blowout, the Nets for the first 3 quarters were very much in this game. They held a lead up until halfway through the 2nd quarter. A lot of it came from spreading the wealth, getting everyone involved and making easy shots. Zaire Williams lead the way for them with 23 points, and 6 board. Dennis Schroder had 16 points on 60% shooting, with 4 boards and 3 assists. Cam Thomas scored 17 points on 43% from the field, but all these efforts were not enough.
The Celtics decided to showup tonight and be the Boston Celtics, the NBA Champions of last season, a team looking to be the first team since the 2018 Warriors to win back-to-back championships. Is it early? Yes, but if they can continue with this style of basketball, then it will be much easier. Plus, a Unicorn is going to be returning soon.
Celtics next game is at home against the Raptors on Saturday, while the Nets begin a weekend date with their cross town rivals, the New York Knicks on Friday.
