Nets 101 – Celtics 93

Celtics took an early lead with a Brandon Bass jumper, up 4 points, 7-3 early.  Avery Bradley got in foul trouble, picking up his 2nd foul just four minutes in.  Nets looking sloppy early on with three turnovers.  Paul Pierce energized the Celtics with 2 threes, 6 pts and 2 boards to start the game. Boston leads 13-6 midway through first.  Nets 2-for-8 shooting with four turnovers early. Nets are 1-8 in last nine vs. teams with winning records.  Joe Johnson is keeping Nets in the game with 7 pts (3-5 FG) and a trey. Celtics lead 17-12, late first. Gerald Wallace is lost on the court!  C.J. Watson with two nice 3’s from the same spot to give the Nets the lead.  With a 10-2 run to close the first Nets take a 22-21 lead against Celtics after one.

As usual the Bench Mob started the second with  Watson, Williams, Wallace, Kris Humphries and Andray Blatche.  Kevin Garnett missed another jumper, shooting 0-5 FGs.  Deron Williams came out in the second to score two layups and a nice no look pass to Blatche for the dunk.  Nets up 31-25 after another Watson three. A Celtic 12-4 run put them up 37-35 midway through second.  Williams is on a mission going to the basket and pulling up for jumpers.  He is rolling with 15 points to get the Nets up 40-39 with three to play.  Wallace taken to the lockeroom with a heel contusion.  Williams and Johnson combine for 27 points to go with Lopez nine points and 51 percent shooting as a team.  A 9-0 run put the Nets up 47-39 with less than two minutes till half.  Johnson hit another three and the Nets went into half up 53-43.

[blockquote]“Since the break, he’s been as good as anybody playing,” said Jerry Stackhouse, who came off the bench to score seven points to go along with four rebounds and three assists. “Not just any point guard, he’s been as good as anybody playing.”[/blockquote]

Jerry Stackhouse started the third for the injured Wallace who will not return.  Johnson started the half with a 3-pointer to get the Nets three biggest lead 56-45.  Reggie Evans once again the Chairman of the Boards as he has 9 through early third.  With a 22-6 run in 7:20, Nets take a 60-45 lead as Celtics missed last 9 of 12 FGs.  Lopez playing well and going right at Garnett and finishing.  Stackhouse hitting the outside jumper to keep the Nets up double digits 64-52.  Nets are dominating from 3-pt land. They’ve shot 7-13 (53%) from three vs 3-10 (30%) for Celtics. Watson leads the Nets with 3-3.  Celtics make a small run behind Pierce to bring lead down to 68-59 with three to play.  Lopez held off the Celtics scoring 10 of his 19 points in third to help Nets keep their 10 point lead after three.  D-Will: 19. Lopez: 19. Johnson: 18 for the BIG THREE! Nets lead 79-69.

Game is getting chippy early minutes of the fourth.  Celtics don’t like getting punched in their mouth on their homecourt.  Stackhouse playing welling with seven points and three assists so far replacing Crash.    Garnett with his usual dirty play trying to elbow Humphries in his head but no foul call.  Williams continues to dominate with 20 points and 12 assists with less than eight to play.  Nets BIG 3 with 66 points so far and holding off the Celtics 97-82 with four to play.  This game is over ladies and gentleman as the tougher road warrior Nets took it right to the Celtic bullies and shoved it right down their throat.  Evans still grabbing everything with 14 rebounds to help Lopez inside.  Nets empty bench with three to play and up 101-84.  Williams with 29 points and 12 assists to go with Johnson’s 20 and Lopez’s 21.  New Nets record for road win in franchise history with 22.  Nets win 101-93.

[blockquote]“I mean this was a big win for us and I think these next five games we’ll be able to tell where we’re at too,” Williams said. “We’ve been up and down a lot this season but these last two wins have been something to build on so hopefully we can not take any more steps back and just keep moving forward.” [/blockquote]

LEADERS:

Points – Williams – 29

Rebounds – Evans – 14

Assists – Williams – 12

GAMECHANGER: Deron Williams came out focused and ready and led the Nets with 29 points, 12 assists and only a single turnover.  He set the tone for Brooklyn and led the Big 3 dominate the Celtics and take the season series 3-1.

STAT OF THE NIGHT: Deron Williams hit a three in the second to pass Kerry Kittles for the all-time leader in 3-pointers made in a single Nets season.  Williams now holds Nets records for single season three’s (159), single game points (57), single game three’s (11).

BOXSCORE REPLAY