Nets embarrass Celtics 113-105


(AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)

The Celtics lost 113-105 in an embarrassing defeat that once again puts their record back at .500 at 8-8. With a tough 6-game stretch ahead of them, a loss like this could play a major role in the standings. 

Things were tough early on offense, making just 5 of their first 20 shots but closed the first quarter on a 16-3 run. Payton Pritchard and Jaylen Brown would do most of the scoring, both with 9 points in the first quarter. Defensively, they did what they needed to, holding a bad Nets offense to just 22 points. Heading into the 2nd, the Celtics held a 6-point lead. 

This is where things get ugly. In the second, the Nets dropped 40 points to the Celtics 25. The Celtics turned the ball over 6 times and committed to 9 personal fouls, which gave the Nets extra possessions and easy points at the free throw line. 

Offensively, they shot the ball well, scoring 25 points while shooting 50% from the floor and 37% from three but the turnovers and fouls on the defensive end allowed for the Nets to take a 62-53 lead going into halftime. 

The third quarter was a similar story, with the Celtics scoring an efficient 24 points, but turned the ball over 5 more times while committing 8 fouls. 33 of the Nets 70 points from quarters 2 and 3 were off of Celtics turnovers and free throws. 

A big part of the Celtics third-quarter struggles was Jaylen Brown's foul trouble. Brown picked up his 5th foul midway through the third, and the Nets closed the quarter 21-9 in his absence to take a 92-77 lead.

To start the 4th, the Celtics came out playing considerably faster and more physical, cutting the lead down to 2 midway through the quarter, but it did not last. Michael Porter Jr. put the Nets on his back, scoring 16 points on 7-8 shooting to close the game. The Celtics had to get stops when they needed it most, and they failed to do so, falling 113-105. 

                              The good

Jaylen Brown continues his excellent play with an efficient 26 points. Despite his limited minutes in the second half due to foul trouble, he still made his impact felt, scoring 15 points on 5/9 shooting in just 12 minutes. In a game where free throws were non-existent for the Celtics, Brown was aggressive in getting downhill and drawing contact, shooting 9 of the team's 14 free throws. 

With the starters struggling, the bench had to provide a boost in scoring, and Anfernee Simons did just that, scoring 23 points on 62% shooting. Getting the start once again, Jordan Walsh continues to show flashes, recording 9 points, two offensive rebounds, and a steal. Walshe's defense and hustle have given the Celtics a boost in the starting lineup.

Neemias Queta was excellent, scoring 16 points on 75% shooting while grabbing 5 offensive rebounds. Coming into the game, the Celtics averaged the second most second-chance points at 18.5 per game. Performances like this continue to show Queta's value inside the paint. 

The Celtics did the little things right, taking advantage of turnovers and offensive rebounds, recording 19 points off turnovers and 15 second-chance points. On top of this, they had a huge inside presence, scoring 52 points in the paint. 

                                  The bad

While the Celtics were able to capitalize off turnovers, the Nets were as well, scoring 20 points off turnovers. All 20 of these points came in the second and third quarters when the Nets outscored the Celtics by 21 points. 

Backcourt play was the biggest hindrance in this game, with Payton Pritchard and Derrick White scoring just 19 total points on 7/26 shooting. As great as Derrick White is on defense, his offensive production has been equally as abysmal all season, and games like this have cost the team multiple wins.

Sam Hauser scored 0 points in 14 minutes, continuing his shooting slump. This is the 2nd time in three games Hauser has scored 0 points, which has severely limited his minutes. With shooting being his only discernible skill, these minutes cost the Celtics greatly. 

The math game was a big reason the Celtics lost. Despite 52 points in the paint, they still scored just 105 points. Why? Because they shot just 33% from three and made only 10 free throws. These have been the two biggest problems for the Celtics offensively all season, and it bit them again last night.

                          Conclusion

The energy, shooting struggles, and decision making against an inferior team led to the Celtics taking their worst loss of the season, and it happened at the worst time.

A loss like this with their upcoming schedule makes things look extremely bleak for the short term. Eight of the next 9 games will be against playoff-caliber opponents, with 6 of them being against top 4 seeds in their respective conferences. 

This stretch will tell us a lot about the caliber of team the Celtics really are and how high they can actually put themselves in the standings. Wins against the Cavaliers and 76ers give reason to have hope, but losses against the Jazz and Nets have leveled expectations. The next month will provide a massive opportunity to change the narrative. 

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