As Kyrie Irving flourished in an adverse atmosphere, the top-rated defence of Boston looked everything but. However, the Celtics were able to hold on for the win.
It’s BOSTON! Finally, the battle was over and done with. At the very least, it was supposed to be. Game 1 of Boston’s first-round series with Brooklyn was down to the last seconds when the Celtics were on the brink of putting it away. There was a 15-point gap between the teams. The New England Patriots’ favourite villain, Kyrie Irving, was on fire. Kevin Durant also got in on the action. Despite a great second half of the season, Boston’s crunch-time offence appeared shaky.
Do you believe in those “who wants to play for the Nets” stories?” Some of the digital ink was dripping down the page.
Then… what the heck just happened?
This is how it went: With less than 40 seconds remaining and the Nets up one, Brooklyn had possession of the ball and was searching for the game-winning shot. When Irving returned to Boston, the Celtics relied on him for 39 points. He seemed to be suffocating. When the Nets’ incredibly long superstar, Durant, was lined up against the Celtics’ similarly long superstar, Jayson Tatum, they got the ball to Durant. Earlier in the game, Tatum had blocked one of Durant’s jumpers. Tatum remained in Durant’s chest as the shot clock expired, resulting in a disputed 30-footer for the former MVP.
Boston made a strong comeback. Udoka did not request for a timeout. Udoka stated, “I tell the boys all the time.” “I will not request a timeout if we are in an advantageous position.” At the start of the game, Jaylen Brown grabbed an opening and drove to the line. Nothing. To the left of Smart, Brown threw the ball. Two Nets defenders bit on a pump fake by Smart, who was 4-for-9 from three-point range. Smart saw Tatum while he was driving. Smart said, “Last second.” He sent a quick pass to Tatum, who twisted and threw the ball in as time expired.
Goran Dragic, a Nets defender, called Tatum’s play “awesome.”
The point guard remarked, “I simply went to collect the rebound, and [Smart] found me.” In addition, “and it was only a layup. “A simple layup.”
Quite the finale. The Nets-Celtics clash is officially a 2-7 battle. However, a No. 7 seed has seldom been this dangerous in the past. Although the Nets required a victory against the Cavaliers in a play-in game to make the playoffs, this was still the Brooklyn Nets, who had a 44-game winning streak. Even if they win a few of games, the Nets aren’t a serious danger. They’re a legitimate contender for a title.