26 For Brown in Game 3 Loss
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The Brooklyn Nets were unable to dig themselves out of a hole at home in the 109-103 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.
The Celtics appeared to pull back defense on Kevin Durant, but he and Kyrie Irving attempted less shots.
The Nets lost control of the game after an early lead in the first quarter and were unable to regain the advantage, as team leaders scaled back and turnovers increased in the third quarter, which resulted in their third straight loss in the series.
“It’s disappointing,” said Nets Head Coach Steve Nash in the post-game press conference. “Obviously we didn’t play a good game. 18 turnovers, gave up 13 offensive rebounds, gave up 25 fastbreak points, not a lot of those were on turnovers, but those were points of emphasis for us.”
The Celtics appeared to pull back defense on Kevin Durant, but he and Kyrie Irving attempted less shots.
The Nets lost control of the game after an early lead in the first quarter and were unable to regain the advantage, as team leaders scaled back and turnovers increased in the third quarter, which resulted in their third straight loss in the series.
“It’s disappointing,” said Nets Head Coach Steve Nash in the post-game press conference. “Obviously we didn’t play a good game. 18 turnovers, gave up 13 offensive rebounds, gave up 25 fastbreak points, not a lot of those were on turnovers, but those were points of emphasis for us.”
Once again, the Nets started Game 3 prepared, competed and had a seven-point lead with 7.56 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Nets trailed 30-25 at the end of the first quarter, but outscored the Celtics 25-23 in the second quarter alone. Brooklyn trailed only by three at halftime. However, the Celtics outscored the Nets 28-22 in the third quarter and Brooklyn had seven turnovers in the third quarter and only had three turnovers in the second quarter and four in the first quarter.
Nash said turnovers were the toughest thing to counteract throughout the first three games.
Durant admitted he tried to avoid having any in Game 3, which might have altered his focus. “It felt like I was making solid reads,” Durant said about his analysis of the floor. “Probably should have taken more shots.”
Durant took 11 field goal attempts in Game 3 and made six of those. He made four of 17 field goal attempts in Game 2. Irving took 17 field goal attempts in Game 3 and made six of those. He made four of 13 field goal attempts in Game 2.
“I mean they both have to be tired,” said Coach Nash about Durant and Irving’s slower pace. “Kyrie is fasting and Kevin had to play 40 plus minutes for 5-6 weeks after missing 6-7 weeks. We needed him to play 40 minutes or we wouldn’t be in the play offs.”
Irving said it’s the “flow of everything” that’s contributing to his performance. “It’s the end of the season, then also fasting and just trying to find a balance there,” he said. “Those are things that attribute to my day to day, but when I show up to the facility or the arena, there are no excuses that I have for me being ready and prepared.”
The Nets improved in the fourth quarter as team members stepped up and Brooklyn outscored Boston 31-28. Seth Curry and Blake Griffin led the Nets in the quarter each with eight points. “I try to stay ready at every moment,” Griffin said.
Curry played 9:57 minutes in the quarter and Griffin played 6:25 minutes. However, it wasn’t enough for the win.
Bruce Brown led the Nets with 26 total points for the game and Durant and Irving each added 16 points.
“I think they’ve got more size than us,” Durant said about Boston’s defense compared to other teams. “Marcus Smart is the smallest guy in their lineup and he is 6’4. They’re scoring a lot in the paint.”
Nash said his message to the team after three losses is now about character. “It’s about digging deep and having pride and finding a way over the next 48 hours to come back ready to win on Monday night,” he said.
The Nets return to Barclays Center at 7 p.m. Monday in Game 4 hoping to avoid getting swept in front of the home crowd.
Durant took 11 field goal attempts in Game 3 and made six of those. He made four of 17 field goal attempts in Game 2. Irving took 17 field goal attempts in Game 3 and made six of those. He made four of 13 field goal attempts in Game 2.
“I mean they both have to be tired,” said Coach Nash about Durant and Irving’s slower pace. “Kyrie is fasting and Kevin had to play 40 plus minutes for 5-6 weeks after missing 6-7 weeks. We needed him to play 40 minutes or we wouldn’t be in the play offs.”
Irving said it’s the “flow of everything” that’s contributing to his performance. “It’s the end of the season, then also fasting and just trying to find a balance there,” he said. “Those are things that attribute to my day to day, but when I show up to the facility or the arena, there are no excuses that I have for me being ready and prepared.”
The Nets improved in the fourth quarter as team members stepped up and Brooklyn outscored Boston 31-28. Seth Curry and Blake Griffin led the Nets in the quarter each with eight points. “I try to stay ready at every moment,” Griffin said.
Curry played 9:57 minutes in the quarter and Griffin played 6:25 minutes. However, it wasn’t enough for the win.
Bruce Brown led the Nets with 26 total points for the game and Durant and Irving each added 16 points.
“I think they’ve got more size than us,” Durant said about Boston’s defense compared to other teams. “Marcus Smart is the smallest guy in their lineup and he is 6’4. They’re scoring a lot in the paint.”
Nash said his message to the team after three losses is now about character. “It’s about digging deep and having pride and finding a way over the next 48 hours to come back ready to win on Monday night,” he said.
The Nets return to Barclays Center at 7 p.m. Monday in Game 4 hoping to avoid getting swept in front of the home crowd.
