The Nets Extend Their Winning Streak to Four, Defeating the Celtics

Deron Williams and Brook Lopez Lead Brooklyn to a Hard Fought Victory

By Ali Koskoris

Brooklyn hosted Boston in a battle until the last minute, eventually coming out with the win.  Deron Williams and Brook Lopez led their team, each scoring 24 points.  Williams also dished out eight assists and Lopez blocked four shots.  The two stars kept the Nets’ offense and defense aggressive.

AP Photo/ Phelan M. Ebenhack

The Celtics missed superstar point guard Rajon Rondo, who sat out with a sprained ankle.  They saw strong performances from captain Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and first-time Celtic starter (in Rondo’s place) Leandro Barbosa.  But the combined efforts of Boston could not defeat the play of New York.

The Nets defeated the Celtics in the all-important rebound column.  The team collectively pulled down 18 offensive rebounds (15 in the first half), resulting in 19 second-chance points just in the first half. 

About halfway through the third quarter, the Nets had established a comfortable thirteen-point lead.  Then, the Celtics made a 12-0 run and suddenly the game was tied.  Pierce took control for Boston, and Joe Johnson heated up for Brooklyn in the fourth quarter.

Johnson scored nine points just in the fourth quarter, leaving the game with a total of 19 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.  Johnson attacked the basket, pulled up for shots, and made his difference at the free throw line.  Lopez and Williams also contributed to the fourth quarter energy, but Johnson definitely led the team.

The game came down to the last seconds, based on who could make free throws, who could steal rather than foul, and who could get stops.  Pierce missed two integral foul shots for Boston late in the quarter, but then proceeded to hit a rushed three-point shot.  His efforts were not enough. 

In the end, the Celtics could not pull away from the Nets.  They had already worked so hard to come back from a significant deficit that continuing to make runs and stops and score without Brooklyn scoring was just too much.

Brooklyn comes away with a hard-earned victory, their fourth straight.  Boston falls to 5-4 and the Nets improve to 5-2.