While we might expect a big reaction from the Nets for their return home on Saturday night, Boston, led by a Jayson Tatum to 39 points (13/29, 9/10 in shots, 4/13 in 3-points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals), confirmed his domination over the series by winning game 3 on the score of 109 to 103. In the end, they are ‘Let’s Go Celtics!’ who reasoned – many Celtics fans made the trip – at the end of the match at Barclays Center.
Jaylen Brown added 23 points (9/16, 4 rebounds and 5 assists) and the team once more managed to padlock the superstar duo Kevin Durant (16 points at 6/11, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers) – Kyrie Irving (16 points at 6/17 including 0/7 at 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, 9 assists). Bruce Brown finished as the Nets’ leading scorer with 26 points (personal record in the playoffs, 12/19, 8 rebounds, 5 turnovers). Boston, which caused 21 opposing turnovers leading to 37 points, will therefore have an opportunity to sweep the Nets on Monday, still in Brooklyn. In front of 30-25 following 12 minutes by limiting KD to 2 shots in the period, the Celtics benefited from 7 consecutive points signed Payton Pritchard at the start of the 2nd quarter (37-25).
Brooklyn came back to 53-50 at the break thanks to a 7-0. Boston therefore led most of the game and up to 15 points before returning to 3 points just over a minute from the end of the 3rd. Marcus Smart (14 points at 6/15, 6 assists) reassured his people with 2 baskets before Brown stole a ball and went to dunk for the +9, 81-72, before playing the last quarter. He then found Tatum 3-pointers as Brooklyn had reduced the deficit to 4-pointers, then slotted in a jump shot before Tatum’s 2+1 to make it 96-84 with 6’25 remaining.
Robert Williams, absent almost 1 month following a knee operation, made his comeback for the C’s. He played 15 minutes for 2 points and 2 rebounds off the bench.
