Nets' Defense Gives Out in Road Loss to Celtics

Sure, Boston was up at halftime, but at least the Nets made the first two quarters relatively competitive. Unfortunately, the second half wasn't quite the same. A 16-2 run from the home team opened up the game, followed by a 15-0 run between the end of the third and early fourth.

Brooklyn was outscored 82-54 in the final 24 minutes, as Brown and Vučević finished with 28 points apiece. The Celtics put up one of the best offensive performances of the season, finishing with 67-65-81 shooting splits, knocking down 22 threes.

The Nets actually managed to put up 111 points on 47% shooting from the field and 39% from three, one of their highest point totals in the last month. While the offense showed up, the defense sputtered after halftime.

It wasn't so much the points inside as it was the outside shot. Brooklyn shockingly outscored Boston 54-48 in the paint, but the Celtics' 22 threes and 22 free throws to the Nets' 13 and 11 created a 38-point differential in that regard.

Boston also killed Brooklyn in terms of ball movement. The team's 38 assists crushed their 24.4 per game average. Five players finished with at least four dimes, as Brown nearly notched a triple-double with seven rebounds and nine assists.

The Celtics' highest point total of the season also came with the highest effective field-goal percentage at 80.8%. Did they get hot? Without a doubt. However, it's easy to do that against the Nets, who rank 27th in defensive rating. Since the start of February, they've given up 120.4 points per game.

Against a division rival, it's always fun to win, but Brooklyn's fans understand the bigger goal. The Nets are gunning for the best odds at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. While their defense was poor in Boston, it only keeps them in heavy pursuit of a generational prospect.