Boston Celtics rout New Jersey Nets 89-70 to collect their fourth straight win: NBA Recap
With Deron Williams, Kris Humphries and Brook Lopez out due to injuries, New Jersey Nets were always expected to struggle against the Boston Celtics in their 7th outing of the shortened season.
And they did.
All the Celtics needed was only one major spurt in the third frame to knock the life out of injury-plagued Nets 89-70.
Nets however, fought the first half gallantly courtesy of the rookie MaRshon Brooks, and after closing it at 34-35, continued the good work in the next frame to stay neck to neck with C’s at 44-45, midway through the third quarter.
However after that, MaRshon got injured and in his absence, Nets completely froze. On the other hand, C’s rattled off a game deciding 18-3 burst, capped by mid range jumper by Brandon Bass’s jumper to push Nets miles away from the game.
The Nets failed to make a comeback in the deciding quarter as the deficit was way mammoth for their inexperienced line up.
With Ray Allen out, Paul Pierce marshalled the Celtics with a game high 24 points on 8 for 14 from the floor and more importantly, scored 9 out of his total points in the game changing run. Brandon Bass was also phenomenal and completed a double-double by scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 boards. Veteran forward, Kevin Garnett finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds as well.
C’s coach Doc Rivers, although disappointed with his team’s first half performance, praised the improved show from the players in the second half.
"We just played better, played harder, executed better," Rivers said of the change after halftime. "I really thought in the first half our defense was terrific; our offense was horrendous."
MaRshon, the lone fighter from Nets, was outstanding and paced the nets with 17 points on 7 for 16 from the floor. Jordan Farmar (11) was the only other player who supported him.
At the end of the game, it was a well deserved win for the Celtics. They were the better team on the night and outmatched Nets 45-34 in rebounds, (49.3 - 40.5) from the floor and 24-15 in the assists.
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