Boston Celtics escape late push by Brooklyn Nets, win 115-113
The 48-19 Boston Celtics made the trip to New York City's Barclays Center to face the 22-44 Brooklyn Nets on the road after beating the Miami Heat on their home court the night before, and the Celtics started off the contest playing about as disjointed as one might expect with an 0-5 start from beyond the arc, especially with star big man Kristaps Porzingis returning after a long absence. The issue for Boston early seemed more a matter of re-integrating Porzingis into the flow of the game, as the Latvian center was diving into passing lanes and dunking the ball early in the contest.
Still, the Celtics let the Nets eat too easily in the first quarter, their defensive efforts not at the level one is accustomed to. Boston started to get separation in the second frame, but also racked up fouls in a hurry as they stretched their lead to double-digits. Payton Pritchard pushed it to 18 with a 3 that tied the NBA record for treys off the bench halfway through the quarter, but Brooklyn fought back, Boston finishing the half up 63-51.
Second Half
The Celtics began the penultimate frame with a coach's challenge used against them, leading to a flurry of quick Nets makes that cut the lead to 5. Boston answered with an 8-0 run that gave the Celtics a cushion again midway through the quarter. Despite Brooklyn's best efforts, the Celtics stayed hot and kept the lead in double-digits until the final seconds of the quarter, the Nets cutting the lead to 5.
Boston and Brooklyn traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, but Maxwell Lewis would cut the lead to 3 at the 9-minute mark, and Cam Johnson another to cut it to 2 shortly after. A bevy of Brooklyn fouls kept the Celtics ahead, and Porzingis' first trey of his return gave Boston an 8 point lead.
Pritchard broke the NBA record for 3s off the bench with 6 minutes left in the game. A strong Brooklyn push that cut the lead to 1, but the Celtics escaped with a 115-113 victory.
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics escape late push by Nets, win 115-113
Topics
-
Nets drop third straight with tight 115-113 loss to Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis scored 24 points in his return from an eight-game absence with an illness, getting 14 in the fourth quarter to help the Boston Celtics hold off the Brooklyn Nets 115-113 on ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Porzingis makes triumphant return, Shai strikes for 48 in win
Kristaps Porzingis scored 24 points in his return from an eight-game illness absence and Payton Pritchard set an NBA record to spark Boston over host Brooklyn 115-113 on Saturday.Jason Tatum ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
3 Nets takeaways from 115-113 loss to Celtics
Here are three Brooklyn Nets takeaways from Saturday's 115-113 loss to the Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 20h -
Nets player grades: Cam Johnson scores 23 in 115-113 loss to Celtics
Here are the Brooklyn Nets player grades following Saturday's 115-113 loss to the Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Maxwell Lewis’ coming out party spoiled as Nets’ rally against Celtics falls short
NEW YORK — The Nets fell to the Boston Celtics, 115-113, on Saturday in the first game of a back-to-back set at Barclays Center. They are now in sole possession of the fifth-best NBA draft lottery ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Celtics vs. Nets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 15
Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 1d -
Nets vs. Celtics game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info
Here is the game preview of the Brooklyn Nets' matchup against the Boston Celtics on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Celtics vs. Nets odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 15 best bets from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics 10,000 times and revealed its NBA picks for SaturdayCBS Sports - 1d -
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets: Stream, lineups, injury reports, broadcast (3/15)
With the Nets looking likely to rest several of their key players for lottery odds reasons, this should be an easy win for the CelticsYahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 19m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?
Six state champions were crowned at the MIAA boys and girls high school hockey state championships at TD Garden on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Honesdale softball team poised to make serious strides in Lackawanna League action
With battle-tested veterans Rachele Chee and Georgianna Maglione leading the way, the Hornets are gunning for a .500 record and a return to the playoffs.Yahoo Sports - 20m
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 15m -
How Dan Burn, Newcastle’s local boy and ungainly colossus, ended 70 years of pain
Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United: Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secure glory at Wembley to end the Magpies’ droughtYahoo Sports - 19m -
World Indoor Track and Field Championships 2025: How to watch, schedule, preview
How to watch the 2025 World Indoor Track and Field Championships from Nanjing, China.Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Commanders bring back key defensive line reserve for 2025
The Washington Commanders brought back a key reserve from their 2024 defensive line on Sunday night.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Who won the MIAA high school hockey state championships?
Six state champions were crowned at the MIAA boys and girls high school hockey state championships at TD Garden on Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 20m