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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, left, Brooklyn Nets center De’Ron Sharpe (20) and guard Kyrie Irving, back, foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023, in Boston.
AP Photo/Charles Krupa
BOSTON (AP) – Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and had nine rebounds as the Boston Celtics cruised to a 139-96 win over the short-handed Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Jaylen Brown added 26 points as both Boston stars dropped a game-high seven 3-pointers as the Celtics never trailed and led by 49 points. Boston dominated on both ends of the floor, shooting 60% through three quarters to earn their biggest win of the season.
Robert Williams finished with 16 points and nine rebounds in his return from a sprained ankle. Derrick White added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Eastern Conference-leading Celtics have won all three meetings with the Nets this season.
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and Cam Thomas added 19 for Brooklyn, who struggled on 41% shooting, including 9 of 39 from beyond the arc. On January 8, the Nets fell to 4–7 after Kevin Durant sprained his right knee.
Brooklyn had managed to keep pace with Boston in the standings without Durant and recent injuries to Ben Simmons (sore left knee) and TJ Warren (bruised left calf), both missing their third straight game. sat for
The Celtics had their entire rotation available except for Marcus Smart, sidelined for the fifth straight game as he recovered from his sprained right ankle. Boston took advantage, rushing for a 33–7 advantage as the Nets started the game only 2 of 14 from the field.
Irving missed four of his first five shots as the Boston crowd booed whenever he touched the basketball, mirroring the treatment he had received during his most recent visits to TD Garden.
Tatum finished the quarter with 18 points, single-handedly outscoring the Nets, as Boston took a 46–16 lead into the second quarter. Registering a 30-point, first-quarter lead for the first time in franchise history, Boston outscored its opponent by 30 in the opening period.
The Celtics led 79–45 at halftime.
tip-ins
Nets: 6 of 21 shots (29%) in the first quarter. … Neither Simmons nor Warren made the trip, but coach Jack Vaughn said both are making progress and are expected to return as soon as Saturday.
Celtics: It was Tatum’s 29th game with at least 30 points this season. … Boston outscored the Nets 22-1 in fastbreak points in the first half. … Shot 18 of 29 (62%) in the first quarter, including 8 of 11 from 3-point range. … Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman sat courtside.
