In their first game of In-Season Tournament play on Friday night, the Boston Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 121-107. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dominated the scoring, but a mix of Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Luke Kornet lifted the Celtics’ bench to an impressive showing that ultimately helped secure the victory.
A hot start helped the Celtics jump out to a 20-11 lead, but the Nets battled back thanks to some tough shot-making and a few missed opportunities for Boston at the rim.
Kristaps Porzingis utilized his size early against a Nets starting unit whose tallest member was Cam Johnson at 6-foot-8, but the big man quickly gave way to Brown, who was automatic in the first quarter.