The Celtics defended the Nets masterfully in their last victory, 126-120, over Brooklyn in March. The final numbers on paper appeared as explosive as you’d expect from a high-powered offensive unit led by Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Jayson Tatum’s 54-point classic keyed the win, but nearly as important was Boston’s stretches of strong defensive play that kept the Nets off-balance through key sequences, particularly the third quarter.
Bruce Brown found himself with the ball throughout the frame, scoring 10 points in that frame as Robert Williams III played away from him to impact the interior in Ime Udoka’s defensive scheme.