The Boston Celtics got back in the win column with a convincing win over a surging Brooklyn Nets on Sunday evening, improving to 19-5 for the season as they maintain their hold on the Eastern Conference’s top spot with a 103-92 victory over the Nets.
Outstanding play from Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the absence of Marcus Smart — out with hip issues for the game — helped keep the Celtics in front for nearly the entire contest with Boston responding each time after their opponent threatened to take a lead. The Celtics turn around with a game against the Toronto Raptors on the road on Monday night but have this win to buoy them through a tough stretch of road games to start December.
Let’s take a look at what NBA and Celtics Twitter had to say about Sunday’s win for Boston.
Some of the best plays captured in images from the Celtics’ 24th game of their 2022-23 campaign. https://t.co/HPNHOtjfca
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 5, 2022
–oOo–
First quarter
Kyrie Irving heard a some boos as he was introduced. #Celtics #Nets
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) December 4, 2022
Nets out to a quick 11-2 lead
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) December 4, 2022
No Timeout Joe comes through again! #Celtics on an 14-0 run after falling behind 11-2.
— Abby Chin (@tvabby) December 4, 2022
Yes, please target Hauser. More. MORE!!
— Dr. Justin Quinn (@justinquinnn) December 4, 2022
Jaylen Brown is on fire pic.twitter.com/pdXy5HZwXs
— Danielle Hobeika (@DanielleHobeika) December 4, 2022
Kevin Durant is about a minute or less from getting a T. He's had enough of getting hit on drives without a call.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 4, 2022
Jaylen Brown with 20 in the first quarter as the Celtics are back to "never miss a shot ever" after Friday's weird outlier
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 4, 2022
Second quarter
a blake griffin tribute video is playing at barclays center
— Michael Pina (@MichaelVPina) December 4, 2022
PP getting involved. You love to see it.
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 4, 2022
Four turnovers for Tatum and he's trying to force matters to get going. #Celtics #Nets
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) December 4, 2022
This Sam Hauser thing is out of control. Dude's got the reality stone.
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 4, 2022
It ends with a T.J. Warren putback, but good defense by Sam Hauser before that, twice denying Kevin Durant from getting what he wanted.
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) December 4, 2022
Payton Pritchard showing exactly why he should PLAY EVERY GAME! #Celtics #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/5b5TjGSG8o
— TheDCMan1960-8☘️ (@DCMan1968) December 4, 2022
Oh NOW Jaylen Brown doesn’t wanna defend Kyrie.
— mike mulloy: Wash DC 12/8-10 (@handsomeadult) December 4, 2022
I swear to God, the CEltics just do not miss jumpers. Just never. It's WILD. It's better above expectation than peak Warriors because at least the expectation on all shots was so high
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) December 4, 2022
Third quarter
Celtics must have taken a nap at halftime. Sleep start to the third quarter here.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 5, 2022
Scal just said it: The Celtics aren't getting into the paint to start the second half. Those drive-and-kicks to generate clean looks for spot-up shooters were at the root of Boston's shooting 50% from the field and 11/22 on threes in the first half.
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) December 5, 2022
Celtics had just 4 points over the first 7+ minutes of the third but the Nets haven't done anything with it.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 5, 2022
Looking at Joe Mazzulla rocking a sweatshirt, isn’t it crazy that they used to make coaches wear full suits and dress shoes to coach a basketball game? I once did that as a joke for the title game of a youth team I coached when I was in HS and I looked like a dumbass.
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) December 5, 2022
Incredibly stupid offense today. It's like the Miami game on Friday set this offense back 12 months. Iso-heavy, no off-ball action. Nobody looking for teammates. Turnovers galore. BAD basketball https://t.co/FLqS5p64Da
— Mike Kawano (@KawanoMike) December 5, 2022
Fourth quarter
The Celtics offense is being offensive in the bad way.
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) December 5, 2022
Jaylen Brown has a career-high 4 blocks with nearly an entire quarter remaining
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) December 5, 2022
Kyrie's 5 for 19. Forcing tough ones recently too.
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) December 5, 2022
Jaylen went tongue out like Jordan on that slam, lol
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) December 5, 2022
Boston has been fantastic sending doubles at KD. incredibly well timed. Would not have expected Brooklyn to be losing with this kind of defensive performance
— Rohan Nadkarni (@RohanNadkarni) December 5, 2022
That should do it. Tatum strips Durant for a fast-break bucket, then drills a 3 over Durant to make it 101-85. Some of the ugliest ball the Celtics have played this season, but they're going to end up with a comfortable win.
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) December 5, 2022
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