The Boston Celtics take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Brooklyn Nets after posting a 114-107 victory on Wednesday night. Boston’s defense made all the difference in this contest, making life incredibly difficult for Kevin Durant once again, limiting him to shooting just 23.5 percent from the field. The Nets took command of this game early on, taking a 17-point lead at one point, but after halftime the Celtics buckled down and started running on offense.
Jayson Tatum hit game-winning shots down the stretch and finished the night with 19 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, while Jaylen Brown added another 22 points in the win. It really was a balanced attack for the Celtics, as all five starters scored in double figures, and Grant Williams stood out off the bench with 17 points. The series will now move to Brooklyn for the next two games as the Nets try to get back into this series against a dominant Boston team.
Here are three takeaways from Game 2.
1. The Celtics’ defense gave KD all sorts of problems
Durant has built a legacy by being one of the most difficult players to guard in NBA history. His unique combination of size and ability makes his shot essentially indefensible, as he can tower over anyone and get a clean look. Every time the ball leaves Durant’s hands, he assumes he’s going to go in; that’s how deadly he’s been as a scorer throughout his entire career.
But on Wednesday night, Durant didn’t look like the typically unstoppable guy as he struggled hard to get into any kind of rhythm. KD finished with 27 points, but was just 4-of-17 from the field, and were it not for 18 points at the free throw line, he would have only had nine points in the game. That’s crazy, and you have to take your hat off to the Celtics’ defense. This wasn’t just a bad night for the future Hall of Famer. This was a perfectly executed all-out defensive assault by the Celtics. Every trip down the floor, Durant was met with defensive pressure, whether it was from double teams or just a stifling defense.
This was more than just Boston trapping Durant and forcing the ball out of his hands. The Celtics didn’t allow any breathing room for Durant to do anything offensively, and it didn’t matter who was in front of him either. That’s what makes Boston’s defense so elite. He has the ability to change just about anything, and the Celtics have so much length and athleticism that it’s not entirely surprising that Durant looks nervous on offense. Boston forced him into six turnovers, as every player within Durant’s distance on defense had active hands trying to frustrate him and throw him out of rhythm, and it worked. This is hands down the best defense a team has ever made of Durant, and it will force Brooklyn to adjust to the rest of the series to try and find a way to give him better opportunities.
2. A balanced scoring effort from Boston
This was one of those games that showed you why having great depth is so important in the playoffs. Seven players finished in double figures for the Celtics, and Boston got great production from its two key players off the bench, Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard. Williams specifically had a stellar night from start to finish. In the first quarter, he and Daniel Theis were the only two Celtics players who could do anything offensively, and they kept the game within reach as Brooklyn went on the attack. His defense was as notable as he had several solid possessions protecting Durant, and he played a hand to force him into a couple of turnovers.
If it wasn’t for the production of guys like Williams, Theis and Al Horford in the first half, the Nets probably would have won a lot more early in the third quarter. But instead, the role players kept the team afloat and cut a 17-point lead to just 10 points before halftime. It’s also not worth it that those players could get buckets too many times thanks to Tatum’s passes. Although Tatum struggled to score in the first half, going just 2-for-8 from the field, he racked up five assists and put his teammates in excellent position to get easy shots. Tatum’s passing has been one of the key improvements in his game this season, an area where Smart said the team needed him to improve to elevate his game. Tatum certainly took it to heart, and his improved court vision was on full display in Game 2. He impacted the game with his passes in the first half, then began to take control down the stretch with his scoring to help Boston to a victory. .
3. Kyrie Irving needs to do more
Irving finished the game with just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field and recorded just one assist. That is unacceptable. The Celtics will continue to attack Durant on every trip down the floor, and Irving needs to be able to pick up the slack when that happens. The Nets can’t afford for Irving to have an off night because they don’t have the depth they can rely on guys when the stars feel pressure defensively.
Bruce Brown did an excellent job generating offense as he finished with 23 points. But that alone will not be enough. We’ve seen Irving completely take over games, and this was his chance to do it while KD was struggling. But Irving looked out of his mind, and nothing like the dynamic guard capable of setting you on fire for 30-plus points on any given night. He wasn’t attacking the rim as much or creating chances for his teammates, and instead was forcing a couple of shots and ceased to be a factor in the fourth quarter when he went 1-for-4 for just two points in the final 12 minutes of the game. match. the game. That’s not going to do it against the Celtics, and Brooklyn will have to hope that Irving can get going in Game 3, because if Boston puts the pincers on Durant again, they’ll need Irving to step up.
Reference-www.cbssports.com