Three Studs, One Dud As Celtics Outlast Nets On Back-To-Back
The Boston Celtics visited the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center for a Saturday night contest.
Boston improved to 49-19 with a close 115-113 win while Brooklyn fell to 22-45.
The Celtics enjoyed the return of Jaylen Brown, though he exited with back spasms and did not return for the second half, and especially Kristaps Porzingis after an eight-game absence with a viral illness. Al Horford and Derrick White did not take the floor in the second half of the back-to-back following Friday’s win in Miami against the Heat.
The Celtics played well before the Nets rattled off a 9-0 run that cut the lead to just two points in the final minute. Boston made free throws late and held on for another road win.
Boston improved to 3-0 against the Nets this season before the final home-and-home matchup at TD Garden on Tuesday afternoon.
Here are three studs and one dud from Boston’s win:
STUDS
Jayson Tatum
The Celtics star stayed true to his commitment to playing every road game possible and kept his rhythm Saturday night in Brooklyn.
Tatum finished with 20 points for the Celtics.
Payton Pritchard
Pritchard started hot with a perfect 4-of-4 stretch from beyond the arc with three triples. His outside shooting boosted Boston Friday and he assisted the Celtics Saturday night with 22 points.
Pritchard also set an NBA record with his 219th three-pointer off the bench this season with a fourth-quarter make.
Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis helped out early after spending eight games off the floor. He worked efficiently inside the arc and drained a late three to cap off his night. His defensive presence around the rim offered a welcomed sight for Boston.
The Celtics big man tallied a team-high 24 points with a block.
DUDS
Nets’ foul trouble
The Celtics consistently found themselves in and around the bonus, and Brooklyn struggled to manage Day’Ron Sharpe and Maxwell Lewis (five fouls each) in foul trouble.
Boston shot 14-of-19 from the charity stripe against Brooklyn.