New York, Dec. 5 (BNA): Even when Jaylen Brown was leading in points early, the Boston Celtics knew they’d need to turn to their defense late on.
Then they shut down the Brooklyn Nets, just like they did last spring.
“Our defense definitely won the game tonight, there’s no question about that,” Jason Tatum said.
Brown scored 34 points, 10 rebounds, Tatum added 29 points and 11 boards, and the Celtics snapped the Nets’ four-game winning streak with a 103-92 victory Sunday night.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that the Browns started Boston with a 20-point first quarter lead and forced the Celtics six turnovers in the fourth quarter in their first meeting since they swept the net in the first round of the playoffs.
“Even though we were hitting the ball with high clip, record numbers, we just couldn’t let the rope slide defensively,” Brown said. “So tonight was a great match.”
Kevin Durant scored 31 points for the net, but had eight turnovers. Kyrie Irving added 18 points and eight rebounds but shot only seven points-for-21 from the field.
“I mean, they’re a good team and when you make costly mistakes, especially in the long run, it takes a toll on you,” Irving said. “It will have an impact on the game, the flow.”
The Celtics were without Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart due to a left thigh injury, but there were plenty of defenders left to hit the net and recover from Friday’s overtime loss to Miami that snapped their five-game winning streak.
Boston only led by two goals midway through the fourth quarter before Al Horford made a 3-pointer for just one basket of the game, then blocked a Durant shot to lead on a quick break for Brown to take an 85–76 lead.
Tatum witnessed a flurry of disturbances later that period to break down the door and draw raucous cheers from several Celtics fans in a crowd that also included retired tennis star Roger Federer, seated near the bench.
Although the Celtics (19-5) have the best record in the NBA, they have been the only team with more wins than 11 Nets since the beginning of November, when Brooklyn replaced Steve Nash as coach. The Nets considered suspended Celtics coach Im Odoka before sticking with Jack Vaughn.
However, the Nets still can’t break down the Celtics’ defense, just as they couldn’t in April.
Brooklyn made its first five shots in an 11-2 start, then missed seven in a row as Boston responded 14-0. The Browns were five-for-5 on three-pointers in the first quarter.
He was tied at 48 with 4 minutes left in the second quarter before the Celtics closed out with a 14-2 spurt for a 62-50 advantage going into the locker room.
Tatum shot 10-for-19 after hitting five-for-18 and missing all seven three-pointers on Friday.
ZHB