The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Boston Celtics 109-102. The Nets defeated the Celtics for the first time since 2016. Brooklyn snapped a 10 game losing streak against the Celtics with their win today. The Nets and Celtics played a very even first half, as the Nets took a 1 point lead into halftime. Both teams came out sloppy and couldn’t hit shots. Then in the third quarter D’Angelo Russell took over. Russell scored 18 points in the third quarter alone, as the Nets outscored the Celtics 44-21 in the quarter. The 44 points the Nets scored in the third tied a franchise record for the most points ever scored in a third quarter by a Nets team. The Nets eventually took a 27 point lead before the Celtics came storming back. The Celtics cut the lead to 9 with under 2 minutes to play, but the Nets were able to hang on. This might have been a game the Nets lose in the beginning of the year (very similar to the Thunder game), but the Nets were able to hang on for dear life. The Celtics outscored the Nets 36-19 in that fourth quarter. These teams will meet again in 2 weeks in Boston in what should be a very close game.

D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 34 points and 7 assists on 13-26 shooting. Russell continues to lead the Nets game in and game out, as he is making his case for the all star game. Russell has stepped up big since LeVert went down, and now is the clear number one scoring option on this Nets team. Rodions Kurcus had another good game against the Celtics, finishing with 19 points on 7-11 shooting. Kurcus is another player that has stepped up big recently, and this was his second game in which he hurt the Celtics bad (24 points against them last week). Jarrett Allen recorded a double double, with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Allen was a force in the second half, and provided a much needed presence on the glass. Lastly, DeMarre Carroll had another good game off the bench with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Carroll was not good from the field, just 2-15 shooting, but he made an impact in the rebounding game. This was a big win for the Nets team, as they have a rough game Wednesday in Houston. This win also moved the Nets to 12-11 at home this season. The Nets are becoming a force at home.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 34 points on 12-19 shooting. Tatum was one of the few Celtics that played well tonight, and he certainly made an impact. Jaylen Brown also recorded 22 points and 6 rebounds. Brown and Tatum were the two best players for the Celtics tonight, and they were the anchors of a furious Celtics comeback. Lastly, Brad Wanamaker provided a spark off the bench with 13 points and 4 assists. Wanamaker was forced to play due to injuries to Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart, and filled in well. This was a game the Celtics thought that they would win, but the absences of Irving and Marcus Smart proved to be very costly. The Celtics will be looking for revenge in 2 weeks at the Boston Garden.

What’s Next?

The Nets travel to Houston to face the Rockets on Wednesday, while the Celtics return home to face the Raptors on Wednesday.

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