BOSTON – Jayson Tatum scored 31 points and had nine rebounds and the Boston Celtics rolled to a 139-96 win over the undermanned Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Jaylen Brown added 26 points as both Boston stars slammed down seven 3-pointers in a game in which the Celtics were never behind and led by as much as 49 points. Boston dominated at both ends of the floor, shooting 60% through three quarters en route to their biggest win of the season.
“You can tell we were ready from the jump,” said Tatum.
It was the eighth time this season that Tatum and Brown have each scored at least 25 points in the same game.
Robert Williams finished with 16 points and nine rebounds on his return from a sprained ankle. Derrick White added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
“You’re hungry,” Williams said of Tatum and Brown. “They’re still (excited) about the last year.”
The NBA-leading Celtics have won all three encounters with the Nets this season.
Tatum started the night second in the NBA averaging 37.5 minutes per game. He played just over 29 on Wednesday and was able to sit for most of the fourth quarter. Coach Joe Mazzulla said it was nice to give him some rest but wasn’t worried about the burden he’s been carrying so far.
Tatum credits team coach Nick Sang and the conversations they’ve had since last season with helping him maintain his body this season.
“I feel great,” Tatum said. “My body feels so much better at this time than it did last season.”
Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and Cam Thomas added 19 for Brooklyn, who struggled all along while shooting 41%, including 9 of 39 over the arc. The Nets fell to 4-7 after Kevin Durant sprained his right knee on Jan. 8.
“It’s clear they want to win the championship and they’re not wasting time in the regular season,” Irving said. “Tonight I felt like we’re just one of those teams in the way and you know we just can’t be one of those teams in the way. We have to be one of those teams that stands up to them.”
Brooklyn had managed to keep up with Boston overall without Durant and with recent injuries to Ben Simmons (left knee) and TJ Warren (left shin contusion), both of whom were seated for their third straight game.
The Celtics had their entire rotation available with the exception of Marcus Smart, who was sidelined for the fifth straight game while recovering from his sprained right ankle. Boston capitalized on the advantage, building a 33-7 advantage as the Nets started just 2 of 14 from the field.
Irving missed four of his first five shots as Boston crowds booed every time he touched the basketball, mirroring the treatment he’d received on his recent visits to TD Garden.
Tatum finished the quarter with 18 points, single-handedly beating the Nets as Boston went into the second quarter 46-16. The 30-point lead in the first quarter marked the first time in franchise history that Boston outscored its opponent by 30 points in the opening stages.
The Celtics led 79-45 at halftime.
“This was a night where they scored first, they hit hard and it hurt,” said Nets coach Jacque Vaughn.
TIP INS
Nets: Shot 6 of 21 (29%) in the first quarter. … Neither Simmons nor Warren made the trip, but Vaughn said both are making progress and hope to return as soon as Saturday.
Celtics: It was Tatum’s 29th game this season with at least 30 points. … Boston outplayed the Nets 22-1 in fast break 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 on the sidelines.
NEXT
Nets: Five-game open homestand Saturday vs Washington Wizards.
Celtics: Hosts the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
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