In the season opener in the TD Garden, Boston Celtics blew out the Brooklyn Nets in what was a Boston game from the start. Already in the first quarter a significant difference was made and it just grew so at half time it was 26 already and the game was lost there. Now when you look at the score you can definately see who is missing-Brook Lopez. The 7-foot center is a 20 ppg type of player and it was exactly his points and his rim protection that the Nets lacked in this game.
As for the numbers, the Celtics shot at 56% overall and at 38% from downtown, as opposed to the 47% overall and 36% that the Nets shot. Best scorer from the Nets was Mirza Teletović with 20 points in 23 minutes of action, with JJ and D-Will being close with 19 each. As for the Celtics eight players had 10+ points and one was pretty close (ex-Net Marcus Thornton) and they were led by the sophmore center Kelly Olynyk with 17.
Where the Nets really lost this game is not offence, which is working pretty good at the moment, but in defence, where they cannot protect the basket good enough, and exactly there is where the loss was made. Another important thing is: start either Kirilenko or Teletović before the rookie Bogdanović because his defence was atrocious. He did score 7 points along with 2 assists but when you look at the bench where Teletović scored 20 with 6 rebounds and 2 blocks and there is Kirilenko who’s stats do not show how he really plays, you really have to ask Lionel Hollins one question: what is Bojan doing there? An adaption process is needed for him to become what Mirza is now, or even better but for a rookie, especially coming from Europe where the pace is slower and the defending is much easier, he must not start. With all due respect to coach Hollins, you’re supposed to slowly adapt him to the game, not just throw him directly in the flames.
Anyway, a blowout for the Nets but a valuable lesson learned hopefully- play defense. When they started playing proper defense, they got back to around 15-10 point difference, but the total and unexplainable lack of paint defense got around to bite the Nets later in the game.
Overall game MVP : Rajon Rondo ( 29 min, 13 pts, 12 ast, 7 reb, 1 stl)
Best Nets player: Mirza Teletović ( 23 min, 20 pts, 1 ast, 6 reb, 2 blk)
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