Walker scores 39 as Celtics defeat Nets 121-110
By: Tristan Deschenes, 98.5 The Sports Hub contributor
The Boston Celtics won their second straight game defeating the Brooklyn Nets by a score of 121-110 on Wednesday night. The win improved the Celtics record to 13-4 on the season and the C’s remain undefeated at home.
Boston finally got out of its first quarter scoring problems, scoring 30 first quarter points. The Celtics had not scored over 25 first quarter points since their game against the Suns on November 18.
It was an offensive show with both teams lighting it up. Brooklyn was deadly from three all night long, finishing 21-56 from downtown. The Nets shot 10-14 from downtown in the second quarter alone and scored 40 points in the quarter to go into the half with a 63-57 lead.
Boston was not phased by the three-point shooting of the Nets, overcoming their shooting with strong defense, forcing 15 turnovers. The Green outscored the Nets 34-25 in the third quarter and ended the quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 91-86 lead into the fourth.
The Celtics led 104-92 in the fourth after Marcus Smart hit a three and Brad Wanamaker came up with a steal and fastbreak layup.
Brooklyn would make one last run, using a 9-0 stretch to get the lead down to 104-101. With 1:51 to go, Kemba Walker went to a step-back mid-range jumper to put the Celtics up 119-108 and put the game away.
Walker had a sensational night, finishing the game with a team high 39 points in his return after missing one game with a neck strain. Jaylen Brown added 22 points and Jayson Tatum chipped in 16.
All five Nets starters finished in double figures, including 22 points from Garret Temple and 21 points from Joe Harris.
Former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving missed his seventh straight game with a shoulder injury.
Irving didn’t even travel with the Brooklyn Nets to Boston, but it took Celtics fans only one minute to begin the “Kyrie sucks” chant. The chant would resurface multiple times throughout the game. The Nets came into the game with a 5-1 record without Irving. Last season the Celtics were 12-3 in games without him.
Up Next: The Celtics will travel to Brooklyn to play the Nets Friday night.
