Brooklyn Nets Down Celtics; Keep Chipping Away At Toronto's Lead

From the desk of:  THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH

FINAL

Boston      98

Flatbush  114

BROOKLYN NETS - Flatbush Closes To Within 1.5 Games Of Toronto Raptors In Atlantic Division Race.

Fifteen Games Left In Regular Season

Big man on campus, Mason Plumlee, did to the Celtics what Kevin Garnett perhaps wanted to do to his former team, but because of a cranky back, couldn't.  Instead, Mason Plumlee helped the Nets gain a measure of revenge over the Boston Celtics, with 3 steals, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, and 18 points, in just 21 minutes.  He was a very efficient 6/7 from the field, and a perfect 6/6 from the line.

After bowing to the Celtics last time they met, Brooklyn wins the season series 3-1 over Boston.

Joe Johnson had the hot hand, scoring 27 points to lead the Nets, and igniting them in the third quarter in particular.

On this night however, Jason Kidd made extensive use of the bench.  Thirteen different Nets received minutes, which included a rare Jorge Gutierrez sighting, who clocked 18 minutes, and scored 10 points.  Andray Blatche also scored in double digits off the bench, matching Gutierrez with 10 points.  In all, five Nets scored in double digits, as Paul Pierce chipped in 14 points in just 18 minutes.

While still 5th in the Eastern Conference standings, Brooklyn is now just one game behind the Chicago Bulls.  The Nets can potentially leapfrog Chicago, because they are now just 1.5 games behind the first place Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division standings.

It's off to Dallas now, where Brooklyn will begin a three game road trip.  The Nets defeated the Mavs last time they met.  They'll also play in New Orleans before facing off against the Charlotte Bobcats again.




Mike.BTB