The bookmakers’ two fall favorites for the NBA title are now on vacation. Three weeks after the Lakers, eliminated without even being able to play in the play-in, Brooklyn was swept away by Boston in four games after a final home defeat Monday night (112-116). The Nets are even the only team victim of a “sweep” (4-0 defeat) in the first round.
As since the start of the series, Steve Nash and his players have paid for their inefficiency in money-time. The planets, however, seemed to align with the sixth foul collected by Jayson Tatum (29 points, 5 assists), the star of the Celtics, 2’30” from the buzzer. On the next possession, Irving brought Brooklyn to three points by finding the target behind the arc (106-109, 45th).
The former Cleveland player and Kevin Durant then had four cartridges to equalize but settled for a “KD” shot to further reduce the gap (108-109, 46th). In difficulty since the start of the series, the double NBA champion offered his best game of the play-offs (39 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists).
A series of play-offs won in three years
After a double pass from Jaylen Brown to give the Celtics air, Durant missed a crucial free throw for the Nets, 20 seconds from the buzzer (109-111, 47th). Rather than waiting for a foul from the Nets to stop the clock, Boston launched a quick attack for Marcus Smart whose missed shot was taken over by Al Horford to knock out Steve Nash’s players (109-113, 47th).
After congratulating Boston, his former team, Irving vowed revenge. ” My heart is burning with motivation. A lot of people wanted to see us fail at this point after they ranked us as contenders (On title) and have a lot to say now. I will use this as motivation for this summer and next season “, swore” Uncle Drew “in a press conference.