Celtics Shackle Nets' Offense in Dominant Display Before All-Star Break
It was apparent early on that the Brooklyn Nets were ready for the All-Star break. The Boston Celtics' dominant display defensively made it that much easier for the visitors to start thinking about their vacation plans.
The hosts held the Nets to 55 points through the first 36 minutes while consistently capitalizing on getting met with minimal resistance at the other end.
Derrick White put 27 points on the board in three quarters. Jayson Tatum, who, like the other starters not named Sam Hauser, also enjoyed the last 12 minutes from the bench, finished with 20.
Kristaps Porzingis registered 15 before departing late in the first half after a hard fall that saw him stride gingerly down the court upon picking himself up off the parquet.
The seven-foot-three center rejoined his teammates after intermission. He was sporting a wrap around his left ankle but appeared in good spirits.
Boston also got a season and game-high 28 points off the bench from Payton Pritchard in a lopsided win.
Now for a deep dive into what stood out as the Celtics improved their NBA-leading record to 43-12.
The Celtics stifled the Nets' offense in the first quarter. Minimizing their paint touches, playing on a string, and consistently contesting shots translated to the visitors only putting 15 points on the board. Brooklyn converted on only 26.1 percent of its attempts, including 1/6 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc.
That was crucial to the hosts maintaining an up-tempo approach, helping them produce 12 points in the paint. While no one on the Nets scored more than four points, Kristaps Porzingis paced all participants, putting 12 on the board. The seven-foot-three center fared 5/6 from the field, doing most of his damage around the basket.
Joe Mazzulla also utilized the last game before the All-Star break to give rookie Jordan Walsh regular rotation minutes, entering the contest with 2:16 left in the first frame. He picked up a foul five seconds later.
Walsh and Co. led 30-15 after the opening period. They continued playing lockdown defense in the ensuing 12 minutes, limiting Brooklyn to 17 total points with 4:30 left in the first half.
It didn't help that Boston buried 11/22 threes in the first two frames. They also shot 59.1 percent from the parquet and manufactured 24 points in the paint.
They got met with minimal resistance -- and that's being kind -- from an opponent that did not want to be at TD Garden on Wednesday and appeared ready to start its vacation.
By the time intermission arrived, the hosts led 68-32, their largest lead after the initial 24 minutes since 2010.
There was a concerning moment, though, as Porzingis took a hard fall before heading gingerly down the court after getting up. He subbed out with 1:51 to go before the break and immediately went down the tunnel.
While he came back out for the second half and appeared in good spirits, he sported a wrap around his left ankle and did not return to Wednesday's lopsided matchup.
Derrick White entered halftime with 19 points, leading all scorers. Porzingis had 15, Jayson Tatum scored 12, and Payton Pritchard came off the bench to register 10.
The third quarter brought more of the same, as Sam Hauser drilled three shots from beyond the arc, putting nine points on the board; Tatum and White each scored eight, and the Celtics shot 48 percent from the field, including 6/14 (42.9 percent) from three-point range.
While Brooklyn played with more energy in the first 12 minutes after halftime, they only generated 23 points and produced a 34.8 percent field goal percentage while missing seven of nine takes from behind the arc.
Boston entered the fourth quarter having already sealed the win, leading 101-55.
Pritchard, who scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the final frame, and Oshae Brissett, who scored nine of his 11 in the last 12 minutes, applied the finishing touches on the Celtics' 136-86 win as they entered the All-Star break on a high note.
Further Reading
Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment
Jaylen Brown on Altercation with Duncan Robinson: 'I Bet You He Won't Do It Again'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade
Celtics Swing Savvy Deal with 76ers for Jaden Springer
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
