Sunday was a big test. For the first time since the embarrassing first-round sweep in the 2022 playoffs, the Brooklyn Nets matched up with the Boston Celtics and fell short once more, losing 103-92 on Sunday.
Boston’s game plan in last year’s playoffs was simple: swarm Kevin Durant on his touches at the top of the key and in the post. That strategy proved to be effective, as Durant had his worst playoff series to date while averaging 26.3 points on just 38.6% from the field and 33.3% from three, along with 6.3 assists to 5.