Heroes, zeros in Nets’ crushing loss to Celtics

Breaking down key performances and developments from the Nets’ Game 1 playoff loss to the Celtics.

hero

Kyrie Irving scored 39 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback that was nullified by Jayson Tatum, who finished with 31 points and a spinning layup at the final buzzer.

Zero

Bruce Brown gave Boston the scoreboard some material on Tuesday night, but when the game started he had just five points, five fouls, a minus-13 and couldn’t slow Tatum down.

unsung hero

Goran Dragic had 14 points off the bench along with five assists and a team-best plus-17.

Key stat

43-29 rebounding edge for the Celtics, including 14-5 on the offensive glass

quote of the day

“Kiss him. Kiss him. It’s the dark side. Kiss him.”

— Kyrie Irving on going back and forth with Boston fans