BSJ Game Report: Nets 113, Celtics 105 - Michael Porter Jr. slams door on comeback after Jaylen Brown foul trouble

Everything you need to know about the Celtics' loss to the Nets with BSJ insight and analysis.

IN A NUTSHELL

The Nets led for much of the second quarter into the third, but Jaylen Brown picked up a fifth foul and the Nets sprinted away with a 19-4 run into the final minute of the quarter to go ahead by 18 points in a stunning reversal of Tuesday's result. Neemias Queta also struggled through foul trouble in the loss, and Brooklyn challenged Boston with its pace and high ball pressure through a 2-for-9 stretch late in the third. Payton Pritchard hit 3-of-4 from three early, then missed his next five. Derrick White struggled from the field and Brown sat in the second half while an Anfernee Simons, Baylor Scheierman, Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Luka Garza lineup struggled to defend. Simons and Queta led an 11-2 run with Brown off the floor to begin the fourth, and the Celtics later reached within two points on a Jordan Walsh put-back dunk, but Michael Porter Jr. scored 13 straight for Brooklyn over the final four minutes to re-establish a 14-point edge and secure only their third win. 

Box Score

HEADLINES

- Bad night for the offense: Payton Pritchard and Derrick White struggled to shoot after their recent emergence from their early-season struggles, while Jaylen Brown managed only 32 minutes playing through foul trouble. Boston, however, lost his minutes on and off the floor by four points. They attempted only 34 threes and shot 32.4% on them, missed four free throws and scored only 105 points despite finishing over 55% on twos. Brooklyn brought extra help at the three-point line and pressured the Celtics full-court to push them later in to the shot clock. Yet the Celtics collectively blamed the loss on effort. 

“The first game, they did the same thing,” Anfernee Simons said. “I just think they won those 50-50 balls. They were a little more scrappy than we were, and it showed in the first half and they went on that run at the end of the quarter just off effort plays. That was pretty much the name of the game.”

- Anfernee Simons tries but fails to rally the Celtics late: Brooklyn went on a 19-4 run when Jaylen Brown left the floor with five fouls. Simons finished the game in his place and led the offense with a 23-point performance that pulled Boston back within two points late in the fourth, but he fouled four times, turned the ball over four times and finished a -10. Pritchard sat briefly when Brown returned, and White finished 2-for-13 from the field and 1-for-7 from three across 32 minutes, including 10 out of the 12 in the third. White shot 0-for-4 with 0 points in the final frame. 

TURNING POINT 

The Celtics already trailed by three points when Jaylen Brown waved his arm into Terance Mann's face, driving toward the basket. He implored Joe Mazzulla to challenge the call and he obliged, but there was no video evidence to reverse the call. The Nets went on a 19-3 run to close the third quarter and built a 92-75 lead. Michael Porter Jr. later thwarted a Celtics comeback attempt in the final frame by scoring 13 straight points in the final four minutes. 

THINGS I LIKED

- Anfernee Simons' late efforts: Simons scored 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting and kept the Celtics afloat to begin the fourth quarter with Brown off the floor. The offense, nonetheless, turned sideways through the initial stretch where Brown sat.

- Neemias Queta's activity: Queta scored 16 points with 12 rebounds and contributed six points to the Celtics' comeback effort in the fourth. He battled through foul trouble to remain available into the late stages of the game. 

- Jordan Walsh and Hugo González' effort: Walsh scored nine points with five rebounds, kept two key possessions alive in the fourth quarter and González played a +7 stretch with Brown off the floor to begin the fourth in his longest stretch of play since the Philadelphia game, where he sprained his ankle. González did a good job defending Porter to begin a quarter he eventually shot 7-for-8 in. Brown praised both alongside his scathing criticism of the Celtics' effort following the loss. Walsh received his fourth straight start despite playing less than two minutes in the second half on Tuesday. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

-Derrick White's struggles: White fell to 35.9% from the field and 30.5% from three in the loss as he continues to acclimate to some of the most increased dribble-creation responsibility in the league with Jayson Tatum out. 

-Shot selection: The Celtics only reached 34 three-point attempts, and struggled to find quality looks from behind the arc after a strong start by Pritchard that powered their early lead. Boston shot 46.7% from the field, 32.4% from three, and finished with only 105 points. 

-Defense: Another rough night in transition, where the Celtics got outscored 13-8. Boston also allowed 52.4% shooting from the field, 39.4% three-point shooting and a decisive Porter Jr. run in the final minutes of the fourth.

-Luka Garza's minutes: Garza struggled in relief behind Queta when he left the floor due to fouling. He scored seven points, missed three shots around the rim and fouled twice. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Next Up: The Celtics host the Magic at 6 p.m. in Boston on Sunday.