Boston Puts Nets in 2-0 Hole

Durant Suffocated By Celtics Defense

Photo: Special to the NY Beacon

 

The Brooklyn Nets need a boost of confidence and an immediate win after their second loss to the Celtics Wednesday night in Boston for the NBA Eastsern Conference Playoffs.

The Nets started Game 2 better, stronger and more prepared after the loss Sunday, but their lead dwindled away in the third quarter. Success looked bleak as Marcus Smart tied the score at 81 at the foul line in the third quarter, but the Nets remainded ahead until the 4th quarter when the Celtics pushed passed as Brooklyn lost 114-107.

“I think our intensity dropped a little bit in the second half,” said Nets Head Coach Steve Nash in the post game press conference. “That made a big difference.”

 

 

 

Brooklyn was ahead 65-55 in Game 2 by halftime, but still fought to stop the turnovers that plagued them in Game 1 from intense Boston defense.

“We had a lot of opportunities we didn’t convert,” Nash said about Game 2. “We turned it over 14 times, as did they, but 19-8 off those turnovers, it’s kind of the game right there. I thought the live-ball turnovers were a big discrepancy.”

The Nets had 16 turnovers in Game 1. They managed to get around the Celtics defense to start Game 2, despite the pressure on Kevin Durant.

“I think they’re being physical,” Coach Nash said. “They’re up and into him, grabbing him, holding him, all that stuff you come to expect. He’s been uncomfortable and he hasn’t looked like he’s been able to get his rhythm.”

Durant (0-10 in the second half) was more resilient and scored 27 points in Game 2 versus 23 points in Game 1, but not compared to points accumulated in the regular season games. Durant had several games this season where he scored over 50 points. He has also had more success with scoring in other playoff games. He scored 48 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.

“Two or three guys hit me wherever I go and that’s just the nature of the beast in the playoffs,” Durant said about Boston defense. “I have to be more patient, but also play fast sometimes too and off the ball just be able to move a little faster and screen a little harder in order for my guys to get free.”

Kyrie Irving, who had a 60 point game during the regular NBA season, struggled with shots. He scored 39 points in Game 1 and only 10 points in Game 2.

The Nets will have to make quick changes in order to win Game 3 and have a better chance for success on the return trip to Boston for Game 5.

“We don’t really have time to be disappointed and hold our heads,” Irving said about the loss. “We just have to be better moving forward.  Coming out of halftime, knowing we had the lead against a great team like Boston we have to take advantage of it.”

Coach Nash said they will look at tape and find new ways to attack and Irving and Durant are not the only way. The Nets now get ready for Game 3 back at home in Brooklyn Saturday night with game 4 taking place Monday night.