Celtics-Nets: Keep an eye on these three storylines entering Game 2 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Are you not entertained??
Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets figured to be one of the best first-round NBA playoff series, and Game 1 of this unique No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup lived up to the hype Sunday.
Celtics fans jeered Kyrie Irving all game. Irving gave it right back to them with both his play and his “gestures.” Jayson Tatum delivered at the buzzer in one of the wildest finishes you’ll see this postseason.
The Celtics take a 1-0 series lead into Wednesday’s Game 2 at TD Garden, but extending that lead won’t be easy. To get you ready for the action after two full days off, here’s info on how to watch followed by three storylines we’re watching entering Game 2 and the keys to a Boston victory.
How to watch Celtics vs. Nets
Start Time: Celtics Pregame Live begins on NBC Sports Boston at 6 p.m. ET. Celtics vs. Nets will tip off at 7 p.m. ET at TD Garden.
TV Channel: NBC Sports Boston
Live Stream: NBC Sports Boston and the MyTeams app
1. Kyrie’s second act
Irving was fined $50,000 on Tuesday for making obscene gestures toward the crowd in Game 1. Boston fans aren’t exactly going to ease up on him, though, and Irving suggested he’ll keep the “same energy” for Celtics fans that they direct toward him.
Does that mean Irving continues to interact with the crowd in Game 2? That strategy worked for Kyrie in Game 1, as he poured in 18 of his game-high 39 points in the fourth quarter to nearly lead the Nets to victory by himself.
If Irving is on his game again and thriving in his “villain” role, then Brooklyn will be very tough to beat. Maybe it’s time for a new tactic, Celtics fans?
2. Containing KD
Boston wouldn’t have won Game 1 if it didn’t put the clamps on Kevin Durant, who shot 37.5% from the floor, hit 1 of 5 3-pointers and committed six turnovers. The Celtics did a tremendous job being physical with Durant and being active with their hands when he put the ball on the floor.
Did KD get ‘punked’ by Celtics in Game 1? Perk shares strong take
The C’s should follow that same blueprint in Game 2, running Tatum, Grant Williams and any nearby defender at Durant to make him work for his buckets.
Durant is one of the best postseason players ever. He’s going to make adjustments, and he very well could carry the Nets to victory with a strong Game 2. He’s also 33 years old, though, so the more the Celtics can wear him down, the better their chances of winning the series.
3. Calling all role players
While Tatum and Jaylen Brown led the box score with 31 and 23 points, respectively, the keys to victory may have been Al Horford and Marcus Smart, who added 20 points apiece in Game 1.
After Nets guard’s call-out, Horford lets his play do the talking
That’s the good news. The bad news is that no other player was in double figures. The Celtics need a lot more from Derrick White (seven points, 3-for-8 shooting), Grant Williams (seven points, 3-for-8) and Daniel Theis (four points, 1-for-6) in Game 2, while Payton Pritchard (eight minutes played in Game 1) can be a spark plug off the bench.
Boston is the deeper team than Brooklyn, and the second unit needs to prove as much Wednesday night at the Garden.
Note: Games 2-6 of the Brooklyn Nets-Boston Celtics series will be aired exclusively on NBC Sports Boston and can also be streamed on NBCSportsBoston.com or with the MyTeams App, which you can download below.
Download
Download MyTeams Today!