After a historic begin to the season, the Celtics’ offense cooled off in December and hadn’t been fairly the identical since. There was a pure regression as opponents adjusted. The 3-pointers stopped falling. Robert Williams’ re-insertion to the lineup has been a course of.
Lately, the absence of Marcus Smart has loomed massive.
But on Wednesday evening, the Celtics returned to the norm. It felt like November once more at TD Garden.
After a uncommon three-day break, the Celtics appeared rejuvenated from the second the ball tipped. They stomped on the Brooklyn Nets’ throats and by no means let off. From begin to end, the Celtics dominated in considered one of their most convincing showings of the season, a 139-96 victory over Kyrie Irving and the Nets at TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum scored 31 factors in 29 minutes, Jaylen Brown had 26 factors in 32 minutes – because the star tandem every made seven 3-pointers – and neither performed within the fourth quarter of this demolition of the Nets, who had been with out Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons. The Celtics have now gained 10 consecutive video games over the Nets, which incorporates final season’s first-round playoff sweep.
The Celtics shot 57.7% from the ground and made 26 3-pointers in considered one of their greatest offensive shows of the season. The 43-point victory was their largest of the season.
The final result of this recreation – wherein the Celtics by no means trailed – was hardly ever doubtful. The C’s jumped out to a 14-3 lead, which pressured an early Nets timeout, and by no means let off the gasoline. Tatum hit a 3-pointer that put the C’s up 27-4 and the lead grew to 30 by the tip of their first quarter, their largest benefit after a gap interval in franchise historical past.
After the primary quarter, Tatum had 18 factors on 7-for-10 capturing as he outscored the Nets, who had 16 factors on 6-for-21 capturing.
It by no means acquired higher for the Nets. The Celtics scored 79 factors – their most in a primary half since 1990 – and led by 34 at halftime. They led by at the least 30 for the whole lot of the second half, and Tatum’s triple to finish the third quarter to place them up 38 precipitated Julian Edelman watching courtside to momentarily lose his thoughts. The C’s pulled all their regulars early within the fourth quarter and led by as many as 49.
Source: www.bostonherald.com