Final: Nets 123, Celtics 95 -- Nets stars take over in second half

The Celtics brass dreamed about building around this duo for the long haul earlier this decade and we saw why on Christmas. Irving (37 points) and Durant (29 points) put on a show in the second half, erasing a three-point halftime lead with a 72-point second half for the visitors on their way to a 123-95 win. Jaylen Brown had a team-high 27 points for the hosts who overcame some ugly shooting in the first half thanks to offensive rebounding and gritty defense. However, the undermanned C’s were no match for Durant once he got going in the third quarter (16 points in the frame) while Boston’s offense sputtered to the finish line (only 41 second half points).

The Celtics fall to 1-1 on the season with five of their next six matchups coming on the road.

TURNING POINT

The Nets went on a 9-2 run midway through the second quarter to take the lead, fueled by Daniel Theis picking up his third foul of the game which sent him to the bench early. With Tristan Thompson (3 fouls) also in foul trouble, the C’s managed to hold down the fort late with some strong offense from Jaylen Brown (13 points) to take back the lead before halftime.

TWO UP

Semi Ojeleye: The fourth-year forward helped keep the Celtics offense afloat in the first half with eight points, including a pair of surprise trips to the free throw line. He’s played some of the best basketball of his Celtic career in the past two games.

Jayson Tatum: The All-Star scored all 12 of his first half points in the second quarter, keying a 15-6 start to the frame with some tough shotmaking against a stingy Brooklyn defense. Tatum also had a double-double in the first half alone by adding nine rebounds.

TWO DOWN

Jeff Teague: After a red-hot opener, Teague came back down to earth against Brooklyn. He missed all five of his shots in the first half, including a wide-open layup and a dunk.

Celtics shooting in the first quarter: Slow starts have plagued the C’s offensively for much of the last two seasons and that hasn’t changed in 2020. Boston opened the game knocking down just four of their first 16 shots and just 30.8 percent overall in the opening frame.

TOP PLAY

Tatum even hit him with the friendly butt slap after this. pic.twitter.com/NIumkuyIir

— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) December 25, 2020

• The Celtics will be without Tacko Fall for the second straight game due to an eye infection along with Walker and Langford per usual. The Nets are completely healthy except for deep reserve Nic Claxton (knee injury).


• The Celtics have a 15-18 career record on Christmas Day dating back to 1948. They are 3-1 over the last four years, including a blowout win over the Raptors last season.


• This will be only the fourth Christmas Day game the Celtics have hosted in team history. Red Auerbach preferred the team not to host games during his tenure since he did not want to make team staff have to work a home game during the holiday.


• The Nets are coming off the biggest win out of any team in the NBA after their opener, a 26-point beatdown against a shorthanded Warriors squad on Tuesday in which they led by 20 points after the first quarter.