BROOKLYN -- Everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 87-85 win over the Nets in quickie form.
Box Score
HEADLINES
Celtics survive with Al Horford: The 31-year-old big man was a game-time scratch with a sore left knee, leaving the Celtics shorthanded against a feisty, rested Nets squad. Kyrie Irving didn’t score for the entire first quarter, but closed the game strong with 21 points over the final three, giving the visitors just enough offense when it mattered to pull out their sixth straight win overall, thanks to five big points from Jayson Tatum in the game’s final two minutes.
Another sloppy offensive affair: For the second straight Celtics game, both teams shot 40 percent or worse from the field. The Celtics had tired legs in their third game in four nights, and it showed with a reliance on one-on-one drives and overall non-existent ball movement for both teams. Boston’s defensive effort was present, but their halfcourt offense looked lost without Horford facilitating.
TURNING POINT
The Nets took a one-point lead with 1:31 remaining on a Spencer Dinwiddle drive and the Tatum show took over from there. The 19-year-old rookie drove on a closeout for a monster baseline dunk to take the lead and then sunk a corner 3 on the next possession following a dish from Irving.
TWO UP
Daniel Theis: Aron Baynes was sent to the bench with five fouls early in the third quarter, which put a lot of pressure on the German rookie to be a anchor for a Celtics defense. The 25-year-old responded to the challenge quite nicely, controlling the glass (10 rebounds) while serving as an effective roller on offense (eight points).
Shane Larkin: His opportunities are becoming less frequent as the Celtics get healthy, but the journeyman point guard is maximizing his contributions in a limited role. He attacked the basket well, played gritty defense and hit a couple timely jumpers as well to score nine points in 15 minutes. On nights like Saturday when Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart are throwing up plenty of bricks, Larkin presents a nice alternative for Brad Stevens.
TWO DOWN
Ball movement without Horford: The All-Star big man is one of the Celtics’ best facilitators, and his absence was apparent during Saturday’s game. The visitors posted just for four assists on 18 made field goals in the first half, relying heavily on a steady diet of isolation from the likes of Irving, Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier. That wasn’t a recipe for success with shots not falling.
Jaylen Brown: The athletic swingman reverted a bit to his rookie form in this contest, making a bunch of forays into traffic with no real plan to shoot or pass. He ultimately threw up a couple of airballs in this sequences, feeding into a woeful offensive night for the Celtics. His struggles at the free throw line (0-of-4) aren’t going away either.
TOP PLAY
Tatum liftoff
Jayson Tatum with authority! #NBAVote pic.twitter.com/NUDPlFtqOn
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 7, 2018