The Brooklyn Nets took down the Eastern Conference’s five-seed tonight as D’Angelo Russell put on a show.
- Brooklyn Nets 109 (22-23)
- Boston Celtics 102 (25-18)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
After losing handily at TD Garden, the Brooklyn Nets got their revenge against the Boston Celtics.
D’Angelo Russell continued his strong play, putting up 36 points on a tidy 50 percent shooting line. D-Lo was unconscious from behind the arc, landing seven out of his thirteen attempts from deep.
With each and every game, Russell looks more and more comfortable playing within his role. Things are about to get mighty interesting in the offseason.
Rookie Rodions Kurucs was also a huge factor tonight. Kurucs’ savviness and his all-around play was certainly a welcome sight for Brooklyn. Especially against this tough, hulking Celtics defense. Kurucs put up 19 points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. He also went 2-for-4 from the three.
Totally how we planned it.#WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/S9L7XPnFcb
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 15, 2019
Doing it inside too. @RODIONS1 with the vet moves ? pic.twitter.com/Vhscsg3YWf
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 15, 2019
Rodi gonna make you pay ??⚡@RODIONS1 | #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/pLRr3ekYYp
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 15, 2019
There are moments where Rodi looks like the best player on the floor. It’s a truly incredible feat that Brooklyn’s front office has received this much immediate value out of a second-round pick.
Behind Jarrett Allen’s double-double effort and the scoring punch of Kurucs and Russell, the Nets outscored the Celtics 44 to 22 during the third quarter. They continued their strong play deep into the fourth, leading the Celtics 101-83 with five minutes remaining.
Then things got a little wonky.
Jayson Tatum, who had gotten himself going earlier in the quarter via line-drives to the rim, started to hit tough shots. Tatum scored an incredible 17 points in crunch time. Meanwhile, the Nets offense was held helpless, and things started to resemble Brooklyn’s horrible losing streak from late November.
Luckily for Brooklyn, the Celtics deficit was too large to overcome. Brooklyn was able to hang on, as Tatum’s push proved to be too little, too late.
Oh, and we can’t forget the best highlight of all.
During free throws, fans at the Barclays Center chanted “Kyrie’s leaving” in response to Kyrie’s recent icy comments about his team.
"Kyrie's Leaving." #WeGoHard pic.twitter.com/qNXFITjEXU
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) January 15, 2019
Nets fans are the best, I tell ya.
