BOSTON, Feb. 2 (US): Jason Tatum scored 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Boston Celtics cruised to a 139-96 win over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Jaylen Brown added 26 points as both Boston stars lead by seven 3-pointers in a game the Celtics have never trailed and lead by as many as 49. Boston dominated both ends of the floor, shooting 60% through three quarters en route to their biggest victory of the season.
“You could tell we were ready to go from the jump,” said Tatum.
It was the eighth time this season that both Tatum and Brown scored at least 25 points in the same game, the Associated Press reports.
Robert Williams finished with 16 points and nine rebounds on his return from a sprained ankle. Derrick White added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“They’re hungry,” Williams said of Tatum and Brown. “They are still (upset) about last year.”
The NBA’s leading Celtics have won all three encounters with the Nets this season.
Tatum started his second night in the NBA averaging 37.5 minutes per game. He played just over 29 on Wednesday and was able to sit out most of the fourth quarter. Coach Joe Mazzola said it was good for him to get some rest, but he doesn’t have to worry about the load he’s been carrying so far.
Tatum credits head coach Nick Sang and the conversations they’ve had since last season with helping him keep his physique this season.
“I feel great,” said Tatum. “My body feels a lot better at this time than it did last season.”
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and Cam Thomas added 19 for Brooklyn, who struggled throughout while shooting 41%, including 9 of 39 from outside the arc. The Nets are down to 4-7 since Kevin Durant sprained his right knee on January 8.
“It’s clear on this day that they want to win the championship, and they don’t waste any time in the regular season,” Irving said. “Tonight I felt like we were just one of those teams on the road, and you know, we can’t be one of those teams on the road. We have to be one of those teams that stands up to them.”
Brooklyn has managed to keep up with Boston in the standings without Durant and through recent injuries to Ben Simmons (left knee ache) and TJ Warren (left leg bruise), who both sat out for the third straight game.
The Celtics were all available except for Marcus Smart, who was sidelined for the fifth straight game as he recovered from a sprained right ankle. Boston took advantage, and raced to a 33-7 lead as the Nets started just 2 of 14 from the field.
Irving missed four of his first five shots as the Boston crowd booed him whenever he touched the basketball, mirroring the treatment he received during recent visits to the TD Garden.
Tatum finished the quarter with 18 points, single-handedly besting the Nets as Boston took a 46-16 advantage going into the second quarter. The 30-point lead, and the first quarter marked the first time in franchise history Boston has outscored an opponent by 30 points in an opening period.
The Celtics led 79-45 at halftime.
“This was a night where they hit first, hit hard and got hit,” said Nets coach Jack Vaughn.
Tip-ins
Netting: Shot 6-of-21 (29%) in the first quarter. … Neither Simmons nor Warren made the trip, but Vaughn said they are both moving forward and hoping to be back as soon as Saturday.
Celtics: It was Tatum’s 29th game of the season with at least 30 points. … Boston outscored the Nets 22-1 in first-half fastbreak points. … shot 18 of 29 (62%) in the first quarter, including 8 of 11 from 3-point range. … Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman sat on the court.
next one
Nets: Open five-game Saturday against the Washington Wizards.
Celtics: Host the Phoenix Suns on Friday.