Thoughts On The Game: Nets Beat The Celtics. Seriously.
Feb 28, 2010 Nets vs. Celtics, Thoughts On the Game
Advanced Box Score | CelticsHub | CelticsBlog
The Celtics started yesterday’s game by just slapping the Nets in the mouth. The Nets looked real sloppy on offense and very weak on defense, leading to a 12-2 lead for the Celtics. Kiki was forced to call a timeout, and it looked the Nets weren’t going to be able to put a full game together. Something funny happened after the timeout though, the Nets actually fought back, and they did it at the line. I have been harping about how important it is to get to the foul line all year, and the reason is because getting to the line helps drags the Nets out of cold spells. The Nets struggled from the field early on, but they were able to get their first 6 points at the line (The Nets shot 41 foul shots for the game). By that time, it seemed like the Nets finally settled down, and they were able to claw their way back into the game and end the first quarter with a 2 point lead. They would never look back. The best part is that it seems the Nets finally get how important getting to the foul line is, as everyone YES showed in their postgame interviews talked about attacking and being aggressive.
There were a ton of great individual performances for the Nets yesterday (Devin, Courtney, CDR, Hump), but in my opinion the most impressive performance came from Brook Lopez. Brook showed everything that makes him the great player that he is. Brook might not have the best lateral movement for a big man, but I think he runs the floor with the best of them. He just puts his head down, sprints right into the paint and puts himself in position to get easy buckets:
But where Brook really showed out was in the post. Now, Kendrick Perkins is a fantastic defender. He is physical, he positions himself well, and he has pretty good reaction speed. Brook Lopez treated him like a little kid yesterday, absolutely dominating him:
Brook Lopez has the size and ability to do this every time out. His problem is that he tends to rush things when he makes his catch. Yesterday Brook was patient, surveying the situation before making his move. If the double came, he didn’t force it, he just found the open teammate. My favorite clip is Brook’s spin move towards the baseline, one that is starting to be his go to move (with good reason).
Perkins tried to be physical and upset Brook (Coach Rivers said that the strategy going in was to try and frustrate him), but he stayed cool under pressure (which is something that he struggles to do). Even Kevin Garnett couldn’t get Brook going. As the buzzer for the first half sounded, the ball ended up in Brook’s hands so he flung it at the rim. KG caught the shot attempt (which happens all the time), but for some reason KG decided to scream at something at Brook. Brook just shrugged his shoulders and laughed:
Some more thoughts after the jump:
Quick Recap: Boston Celtics 96, New Jersey Nets 104
Feb 27, 2010 Nets vs. Celtics, Quick Recaps
After the Celtics exploded to a 12-2 lead, the game appeared to be over. However, the Nets took control from that moment forward and came away with a 104-96 win against the Boston Celtics (things got real hairy late).
- Courtney Lee put together his second straight 20+ point performance (first time as a Net) and played very well until he went out with an ankle injury.
- In addition to Courtney’s 21, Brook Lopez chipped in 25, and Devin Harris put up 23. This is the second straight time they all put up 20+.
- Kris Humphries only had 11 points, but he pulled in 10 rebounds and left Marv saying “This is his best game as a Net.”
- The Celtics got the Nets’ lead to 6 points when Ray Allen was given a wide open three. He missed it, and the Nets were able to pull away.
- Keyon Dooling put in 11 points as well, including 3 threes (including a very timely one in the fourth).
- In the third quarter, the Nets took two charges on Celtics’ fast breaks.
- CDR played a meaningful 27 minutes tonight, and maybe put this whole CDR-gate stuff to rest. He didn’t score a ton, but after Lee left the game, he played very good defense on Ray Allen.
- The only Net who had a poor game was Yi. In the fourth quarter he had a turnover and a missed shot, quickly getting pulled in favor of Kris Humphries.
Game 58 Preview Vs. Boston Celtics
Feb 27, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Celtics
The Celtics come into this game really struggling. Everyone is calling them old, and without Paul Pierce they don’t really look fluid on offense. Without Pierce, Marquis Daniels has been starting as the Celtics go small. As for the Nets, they are coming off of a very good half of basketball against Portland and they have had 4 days off, 2 straight days without practice as well because of the snow. The last time there was a long break in games, the Nets came out and beat Charlotte, so who knows what will happen. Also, expect to see a lot of subs as Kiki manages minutes with a winnable game coming up tomorrow. Onto the lineups…
Devin Harris vs. Rajon Rondo
With both of these guys at 100%, this is going to be real fun to watch. These guys are just going to fly up and down the court back and forth. Rondo has been playing real well as of late, but fatigue seems to be setting in with him late in games. With Pierce out, Daniels who usually handles back up point duties is forced to start, and that means more minutes for Rondo. You saw what happened in Cleveland, he just wore down.
Advantage: Rajon Rondo
Courtney Lee vs.Marquis Daniels
Courtney Lee played great in the second half of the Portland game, but the biggest problem for him last year is consistency. He has never really been able to put two or three games together, and if he can play well tonight, the Nets might have a chance.
Advantage: Push
Jarvis Hayes vs. Ray Allen
After sitting out the last game, Hayes will be back. Though you could see a fair amount of Trenton Hassell if Ray Allen starts to go off. Since the trade deadline passed, that has been happening plenty.
Advantage: Ray Allen
Yi vs. Kevin Garnett
It’s funny, when Yi came back he was playing great, but the rest of the team seemed to be struggling. Now, for the most part the rest of the team is playing well, but Yi is struggling. If he can hit a couple jumpers and stretch the defense, that is all we need from him at this point.
Advantage: Kevin Garnett
Brook Lopez vs. Kendrick Perkins
This right here is going to be the match-up of the night. Perkins is a nasty person (it seems like that at least), and his play matches that. He is physical and tries to beat the opposing center down. Brook has struggled with physical centers in the past, but I think the 4 days rest could help Brook.
Advantage: Brook Lopez
Thoughts On The Game: Nets Collapse In The Fourth…Again
Feb 6, 2010 Nets vs. Celtics, Thoughts On the Game
Advanced Box Score | CelticsHub| RedsArmy
For three quarters, the Nets looked like a real NBA team. In fact, they looked like a good NBA team. They were clicking on the offensive end (they were getting it to Brook and cutting off of him so well) and they were playing very good defense. In the fourth quarter though, the Nets were outscored 24-14. In my opinion the defense held up (24 points for the Celtics isn’t a lot), it was the offense that let the Nets down.
So why do the Nets struggle so much in the fourth quarter? Well, what I have noticed the last three games is that the Nets completely go away from what works in the first three quarters. Last night, for the first three quarters the Nets were running the pick and roll very well, getting into the lane, and getting easy baskets. In the fourth, I don’t think they even ran a pick and roll once. Lets look at the shot charts by quarter for this game, I think it is pretty telling:
1st Quarter:
2nd Quarter:
3rd Quarter:
4th Quarter:
The Nets went from taking a bulk of their shots in the paint in the first three quarters, to only taking three shots in the paint. It seems when teams turn up the pressure late (as teams turn up the defense in the 4th), they get away from what works. Another effect of the Nets not getting to the lane? They don’t get to the foul line. The Nets shot 25 foul shots in the first three quarters. That is phenomenal. They only shot 2 in the fourth to finish with a FTR of 39.7. That is still a very good FTR, but it is interesting that in a quarter where they only took 2 foul shots they only score 14 points. Some more thoughts after the jump:
Quick Recap: New Jersey Nets 87 – Boston Celtics 96
Feb 5, 2010 Nets vs. Celtics, Quick Recap
The Nets lead the Celtics by 1 after three quarters. Eddie House happened in the fourth though, and the Celtics ended up winning the game 96-87. The Nets played real good defensively (even in the fourth), and that was the reason they were able to keep the game close.
- Eddie House didn’t have a point until the 4th quarter. He exploded with 10 in the fourth and he really was the difference in the game.
- The Nets were aggressive on the offensive end for three quarters. The fourth, not so much. It is starting to be a common (and troubling theme).
- The Nets were able to get to the line 27 times. That is awesome, but they only got to the line twice in the fourth. Their FTR went from .52 (way above average) after 3 to a good (but not as good) .397.
- Devin Harris had a great 3 quarters but he kind of disappeared in the fourth again.
- The Celtics did everything in their power to give the Nets chances after chances. A few turnovers, an offensive foul, and a overturned three happened in the last 3 minutes.
- Two plays that happened epitomize the Nets season. In the first, Brook Lopez and Kris Humphries battled for an defensive board, knocking it in the hoop. The second, Devin Harris played great defense (reading the pass to the corner and jumping it), gets his hands on the ball, saves it falling out of bounds, and it bounces to House’s hand for an open three.
Game 49 Preview Vs. Boston Celtics: Quick Edition
Feb 5, 2010 2009-2010 Open Threads, Game Previews, Nets vs. Celtics
Hate to do this to you guys, but I only have enough time to quickly preview tonight’s game @ Boston. Now on paper this looks like it could be a blowout, but I like New Jersey’s chances at keeping it close (at least). The Celtics are starting to show their age a little bit, so if the Nets’ bench can perform well, who knows. With that being said, this could get real messy for Nets fans…so onto the lineups:
Devin Harris vs. Rajon Rondo
Advantage: Rajon Rondo
Courtney Lee vs. Ray Allen
Advantage: Ray Allen
Jarvis Hayes vs. Paul Pierce
Advantage: Paul Pierce
Yi vs. Kevin Garnett
Advantage: Kevin Garnett
Brook Lopez vs. Kendrick Perkins
Advantage: Push
Home Movies: The Nets Get Hammered by the Celtics
Jan 15, 2010 Home Movies, Nets vs. Celtics
NAS already spent many hundreds of words lamenting the Nets’ performance against the Celtics Wednesday night. Not to make you relive the horror, but we really thought the utter beatdown the Nets received in the first half had to be seen to be believed. Here’s the Nets first half in about two minutes of visuals:
Thoughts on the Game: Nets Are Never Competitive
Jan 14, 2010 2009-2010 Regular Season, Nets vs. Celtics, Thoughts On the Game
Hoopdata Box Score – Celtics Hub – Celtics Blog – Reds Army
I feel like I’m writing a variation of this sentence at least once a week, but the New Jersey Nets played about as bad of a first half as can be imagined against the Boston Celtics last night.
From the first three-pointer Paul Pierce drained with about 12 seconds elapsed in the first, the Nets showed minimum effort on the defensive end. They allowed the Celtics to hit 11 of their first 12 shots including two wide open three-pointers for Brian Scalabrine, who was filling in for the fill-in, with Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace both on the shelf for the C’s. While Scal will always have a place in my heart for his unbelievably clutch shooting against the Detroit Pistons in game five of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals, I think his first half performance (11 points) just drove home how embarrassing this effort was for the Nets. By the end of the first half, the Celtics as a team were shooting almost 69 percent, and were up 36 points.
As for rebounds, the Nets allowed the Celtics to grab offensive rebounds on their first two misses of the game. Considering the Celtics hit so many shots to start, the Nets didn’t grab their first defensive rebound until the 3:38 mark of the first quarter. The Nets were so incompetent, that even when they grabbed a rebound, it resulted in a turnover. With about a minute left in the half, Brook Lopez grabbed a defensive rebound off the Kendrick Perkins missed free throw, and Rajon Rondo snuck around Brook’s blindside and grabbed it like it was a planned handoff. Overall, the Nets were outrebounded 47-36 for the game.
The Celtics were able to bully the Nets in the paint. At the 6:33 mark in the second, Kendrick Perkins was so far into the post on Yi Jianlian he could have made the basket blindfolded (he settled for a sweet little baby hook from the circle). A few minutes later, the Celtics were able to match-up Glen Davis on Yi. Big Baby got the ball in the post and dribbled for a few seconds just so he could get perfect position on Yi who was totally helpless defensively. Davis then swished the turnaround. For the game, the Celtics outscored the Nets 56-26 in the paint.
The Nets were equally hapless offensively, shooting 32 percent for the first half and 37 percent for the game. Brook Lopez, who finished with a solid 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, was forced into a number of tough shots early by Perkins, getting blocked by Boston’s center on his first attempt of the game, a tough 11-footer. Barely 3 minutes into the game and Brook was already settling for 20-footers and missing, a clear sign that he had about enough of trying to post up.
Devin Harris, who returned from his wrist injury, was having a hard time staying with Rondo defensively, allowing him to get into the lane at will and distribute 14 assists in 29 minutes. Offensively, Devin willed himself to 15 points on 5-13 shooting. He was particularly reckless in the first quarter, tossing up two no-chance-in-hell layup attempts in an attempt to draw the foul.
The Nets came out fired up in the second half, going on a 10-0 run early and outscoring the Celtics 29-19 in the third, but after falling down 36 in the first half, they were never a real threat. They were just playing for pride at that point, and considering they still lost by 24 points while Boston was resting its starters down the stretch, even a prideful Nets team, is a bad one.
More thoughts, if you dare, after the jump.
Quick Recap: Boston Celtics 111, New Jersey Nets 87
Jan 13, 2010 2009-2010 Regular Season, Nets vs. Celtics, Quick Recap
So the Nets put up their weekly turd, dropping their sixth straight and getting blown away at home by the Boston Celtics 111-87.
- The Celtics, despite missing Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace, weren’t screwing around tonight, scoring 38 points in the first quarter, and hitting 9 of their first 10 shots. They shot 69 percent in the first half, compared with 32 percent for the Nets.
- Brian Scalabrine had 11 points in the first half. Did he ever do that with the Nets?
- Brook Lopez was a bright spot for the Nets scoring 18 points (5-12 shooting), grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocking 4 shots.
- Yi Jianlian chipped in with 19 points on 6-12 shooting, hopefully temporarily ending the discussion about him and Brook Lopez coexisting. Remember folks, it’s the rest of the roster that’s the problem.
- Playing with an injured wrist, Devin Harris muscled his way to 15 points and 6 assists. His PG counterpart Rajon Rondo had a pedestrian 11 points and 14 assists (yawn).
- Paul Pierce, who I still saw enough of back in 2002, led all scorers with 24 points.
- In his Nets debut, Kris Humphries scored 9 points on 1-8 shooting, but he got to the FT line 10 times (hitting 7) and he grabbed 8 rebounds (5 offensive).
Game 38 Preview Vs. Boston Celtics
Jan 13, 2010 2009-2010 Open Thread, Game Previews, Nets vs. Celtics
Before we get to the game preview, a quick little NetsAreScorching note. We have been getting a lot more commenters (which is in fact awesome), and this is leading to a lot of different comments with a lot of different opinions and viewpoints. There has been a little quipping back and forth between commenters. We just wanted to remind you to check out the commenting constitution (link up top). While we love having awesome Nets’ discussion, we don’t want to have petty arguments and such in our comments. Thanks guys.
Onto the game, the Nets are coming off some good performances, and if you are going to beat the Boston Celtics, this is your best chance. Both Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace are out, and Marquis Daniels (averaging about 6 PPG) is also out. Brian Scalabrine is starting for the Celtics, that is a bit of a downgrade from the Garnett/Wallace combo. Onto the match-ups:
Devin Harris vs. Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is an incredible player. He is so fast and athletic that he can get into the lane and do whatever he wants when he gets there. He is also a factor when it comes to getting offensive boards, so he will definitely be a pain in the ass. One quick note on Devin, yesterday when he was asked why he is playing when he calls himself about 80% he said something along the lines of I owe it to the team to play. Yes, he might not be a true point or a vocal leader, but this guy is definitely a guy that leads by example and every team needs that.
Advantage: Rajon Rondo
Courtney Lee vs. Ray Allen
Here is a perfect example of why the Celtics are so dangerous. Normally I could see Lee switching off to cover Rondo while Devin would go cover the 2-guard. You can’t do that with the Celtics, because Ray Allen is just as dangerous as Rondo, so Lee needs to stick with him.
Advantage: Ray Allen
Chris Douglas-Roberts vs. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce has been hurting as of late, but he is still a great player, and when he gets the ball on the elbow, he is almost unstoppable. CDR’s lack of size against guys like Pierce worries me, but it hasn’t really hurt him in the past. I am hoping that can continue.
Advantage: Paul Pierce
Yi vs. Brian Scalabrine
I would love to see “New Yi” go up against Garnett (it definitely would have lead to a fight), but Yi has a bit of an advantage against Scalabrine. If Yi starts making his shots, Scalabrine is going to have to come out on him, and this is where new aggressive Yi will take over.
Advantage: Yi
Brook Lopez vs. Kendrick Perkins
Brook is coming off of a big game, but I am worried he might be held in check tonight. Kendrick Perkins is the exact guy who gives him trouble. Perkins is a strong and tough player who is able to get Brook to catch the ball outside his comfort range. I would actually like to see the handoff play the Nets run used a lot tonight, because that will force Perkins to concentrate on something else besides just pushing Brook out of the lane.
Advantage: Push – Note: I don’t think Perkins is as good as Brook, but Perkins can limit him to the same production that Perk will give the Celtics. Does that make sense?