NBA regular season

Following stunning first quarter, Celtics crush Nets

Reuters

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Following stunning first quarter, Celtics crush Nets

CLICKING. Celtics forward Jayson Tatum reacts after his three-point basket against the Nets in the second half.

David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

The Celtics erupt for 46 points on a staggering 62% shooting clip in the first quarter on the way to dismantling the shorthanded Nets

The Boston Celtics didn’t do much wrong in the opening quarter and breezed to a 139-96 home victory over the depleted Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, February 1 (Thursday, February 2, Manila time).

Boston was 18-for-29 from the field (62%) in the opening frame and led 46-16 after 12 minutes. It was the largest lead the Celtics have had after the first quarter in franchise history.

The Celtics made 8-of-11 three-pointers in the period – including their first seven attempts – and outrebounded Brooklyn, 20-6. The 2018-2019 Golden State Warriors hold the NBA record for most points in a first quarter (51).

Brooklyn trailed 79-45 at halftime and 110-72 after three quarters. Boston’s lead peaked at 49 in the fourth quarter.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 31 points. He also had 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and a blocked shot before the Celtics put their starters on the bench after three quarters. Jaylen Brown added 26 points.

The Celtics made 26 three-pointers – one shy of matching a franchise record. Both Tatum and Brown were 7-of-12 from behind the three-point arc.

Kyrie Irving led the Nets with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in 31 minutes. Joe Harris tossed in four triples and finished with 12 points for Brooklyn, which has lost its last 10 games against Boston (including playoffs).

Boston had a 57-32 rebounding edge.

In addition to Kevin Durant, who hasn’t played since January 8 because of an MCL sprain, the Nets were without Ben Simmons (knee) and TJ Warren (shin contusion). Simmons and Warren have each missed the last three games.

It was the third of four meetings between the teams during the regular season. The Celtics prevailed, 103-92, in Brooklyn on December 4, and 109-98 in Brooklyn on January 12.

The Celtics didn’t have Marcus Smart, who missed his fifth consecutive game with a sprained ankle. Boston is 2-3 during that five-game stretch. – Rappler.com

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